US major airliner manufacturer Boeing has forecast that African airlines will need to acquire 1 030 new airliners, worth $160-billion, over the next 20 years. This prediction was contained in the company’s latest “Africa Commercial Outlook” report. Further, the associated aftermarket business, including maintenance and repair, would be worth another $235-billion, taking the complete African airline market opportunity between now and 2040 to a total value of $395-billion. “Africa has healthy opportunities to expand travel and tourism, coinciding with increasing urbanisation and rising incomes,” affirmed Boeing Commercial Marketing MD for the Middle East and Africa Randy Heisey. “African carriers are well-positioned to support inter-regional traffic growth and capture market share by offering services that efficiently connect passengers and enable commerce within the continent.”