![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/Air%20Algerie.jpg?itok=C7ZR13K8)
Overall MRO Events
Credit: Air Algeria
An estimated 985 MRO events are expected to take place this year, including the C Checks anticipated to be undertaken in 2021.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/egyptair_mro.jpg?itok=5EkCMLMF)
Engine Maintenance Will Drive African MRO Spend
Credit: EgyptAir
Africa's MRO spend in 2021 will stand at $2.4 billion, according to Aviation Week's 2021 Fleet & MRO Forecast. The smallest of the global regions by industry size, 44% of this spend will be generated from engine maintenance. The likes of EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering, Ethiopian Airlines and South Africa Airways Technical are among the continent's prominent engine MRO providers.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/ethiopian_airlines_maintenance.jpg?itok=PE2YC-uc)
Steady 10-year MRO Growth Rate Is Anticipated
Credit: Ethiopian Airlines
From 2021 through to 2030, Africa's MRO industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.3% while its fleet will deceased slightly over that period by approximately 0.6%.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/kenya_airways_mro.jpg?itok=vE86bXCo)
A Penchant For Narrowbody, Regional Aircraft
Credit: Kenya Airways
1,469 are estimated to be in the African fleet in 2021, with newer narrowbody aircraft such as the Boeing 737 Max and the Airbus A320neo popular entries. Operators are also expected to remain keen on regional aircraft such as the De Havilland Canada Dash 8. The aircraft is operated by the likes of Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania and Kenya Airways subsidiary Jambojet.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/saa_technical_mro.jpg?itok=ynn14A5x)
No Retirement Wave Anticipated
Credit: SAA Technical
Africa is home to a lot of legacy aircraft types and operators are set to get more years out of these older models. Aviation Week doesn't foresee a wave of retirements in Africa this year and it will be older Boeing 737 variants that are phased out in 2021.![Air Zimbabwe aircraft](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-08/mr-zimbabwe-3_airzimbabwe_promo.jpg?itok=Q1oMc03o)
Engine Retirements
Credit: Air Zimbabwe
92 engine retirements are expected in Africa this year. The top in-service models are the CFM56 followed by regional aircraft engine types the PW100 and the PT6A.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/tunisair.jpg?itok=poOC_RIG)
Aircraft Deliveries Will Slow Down In 2021
Credit: Tunisair
Deliveries of new aircraft types are expected to slow down this year as airlines tighten their belts as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Aviation Week data estimates that 895 aircraft are anticipated to be delivered to carriers, considerably down on the delivery numbers over the past five years.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/mrome-2018-gallery-1_1.jpg?itok=WAN6lTne)
C Checks Will Account For Majority Of Shop Work In 2021
Credit: Kenya Airways
An estimated 44% of Africa's MRO shop work will come from C Checks conducted by maintenance providers.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/Air%20Algerie.jpg?itok=C7ZR13K8)
Overall MRO Events
Credit: Air Algeria
An estimated 985 MRO events are expected to take place this year, including the C Checks anticipated to be undertaken in 2021.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/egyptair_mro.jpg?itok=5EkCMLMF)
Engine Maintenance Will Drive African MRO Spend
Credit: EgyptAir
Africa's MRO spend in 2021 will stand at $2.4 billion, according to Aviation Week's 2021 Fleet & MRO Forecast. The smallest of the global regions by industry size, 44% of this spend will be generated from engine maintenance. The likes of EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering, Ethiopian Airlines and South Africa Airways Technical are among the continent's prominent engine MRO providers.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/ethiopian_airlines_maintenance.jpg?itok=PE2YC-uc)
Steady 10-year MRO Growth Rate Is Anticipated
Credit: Ethiopian Airlines
From 2021 through to 2030, Africa's MRO industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.3% while its fleet will deceased slightly over that period by approximately 0.6%.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/kenya_airways_mro.jpg?itok=vE86bXCo)
A Penchant For Narrowbody, Regional Aircraft
Credit: Kenya Airways
1,469 are estimated to be in the African fleet in 2021, with newer narrowbody aircraft such as the Boeing 737 Max and the Airbus A320neo popular entries. Operators are also expected to remain keen on regional aircraft such as the De Havilland Canada Dash 8. The aircraft is operated by the likes of Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania and Kenya Airways subsidiary Jambojet.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/saa_technical_mro.jpg?itok=ynn14A5x)
No Retirement Wave Anticipated
Credit: SAA Technical
Africa is home to a lot of legacy aircraft types and operators are set to get more years out of these older models. Aviation Week doesn't foresee a wave of retirements in Africa this year and it will be older Boeing 737 variants that are phased out in 2021.![Air Zimbabwe aircraft](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-08/mr-zimbabwe-3_airzimbabwe_promo.jpg?itok=Q1oMc03o)
Engine Retirements
Credit: Air Zimbabwe
92 engine retirements are expected in Africa this year. The top in-service models are the CFM56 followed by regional aircraft engine types the PW100 and the PT6A.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-03/tunisair.jpg?itok=poOC_RIG)
Aircraft Deliveries Will Slow Down In 2021
Credit: Tunisair
Deliveries of new aircraft types are expected to slow down this year as airlines tighten their belts as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Aviation Week data estimates that 895 aircraft are anticipated to be delivered to carriers, considerably down on the delivery numbers over the past five years.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/mrome-2018-gallery-1_1.jpg?itok=WAN6lTne)
C Checks Will Account For Majority Of Shop Work In 2021
Credit: Kenya Airways
An estimated 44% of Africa's MRO shop work will come from C Checks conducted by maintenance providers.![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/Air%20Algerie.jpg?itok=C7ZR13K8)
Overall MRO Events
Credit: Air Algeria
An estimated 985 MRO events are expected to take place this year, including the C Checks anticipated to be undertaken in 2021.Click to enlarge.
Although among the smallest of the global MRO regions, Africa's previously under-served commercial aftermarket will produce some interesting fleet and MRO trends in 2021.
Source: Aviation Week 2021 Fleet & MRO Forecast data.