At the recent Aviation Africa 2025 event in Kigali, Airbus Airline Marketing Director for Africa, Joep Ellers, spoke on the topic “Manufacturing Challenges: From Supply Chain to Sustainability and Keeping Customers Satisfied.” His talk outlined Airbus’ approach to supporting customers across Africa, overcoming production challenges, and advancing sustainability goals.
Customer Support and Investment in Africa
Airbus continues to measure customer satisfaction through its Customer Satisfaction Improvement Programme, but recognises that surveys cannot replace personal engagement. Proximity to customers is a priority, and to strengthen its local presence, the company has established a Customer Services Support Centre in Johannesburg.
Johannesburg was selected due to its role as a major aviation hub, strong customer base, and existing Airbus operations through Airbus Helicopters, which already employs over 100 staff in the city. The support centre will provide technical assistance and localised expertise as Airbus and the wider industry forecast strong growth in African air traffic over the next 20 years, driven by economic growth, population expansion, urbanisation, and the development of the middle class.
Airbus anticipates the need for 1,500 new aircraft on the continent over the next two decades, alongside the training of approximately 15,000 pilots and 20,000 mechanics. The company’s Johannesburg presence is positioned to play a role in building this local capability through training initiatives.
As a side note, Airbus will celebrate 50 years on the African continent next year.
Supply Chain and Production Pressures
Ellers acknowledged that supply chain challenges have affected Airbus production lines, particularly impacting the A350 and A320 aircraft. Engine availability has been a major pressure point, with around 60 aircraft currently waiting for engines at the Hamburg factory. Recovery plans are in place, and Airbus expects to clear the backlog by the end of the year.
Another area of pressure has been the demand for new cabin configurations and customer upgrades as airlines seek to enhance the passenger experience. This has added complexity to manufacturing schedules but also reflects a healthy and recovering industry.
The widebody lavatory supply has also been affected but is now improving. Despite these constraints, Airbus maintains its delivery guidance for 2025.
Sustainability
Sustainability was a central theme of Ellers’ presentation. He clarified that Airbus sees sustainability as encompassing not only environmental responsibility but also economic viability and social inclusion, aligning with the UN’s three pillars of sustainable development.
Airbus employs 157,000 people of 160 nationalities and operates 15 final assembly lines across five countries, supporting local economies with skilled jobs. The company’s supply chain involves thousands of suppliers in dozens of countries, all of whom are expected to adhere to Airbus’ environmental, labour and ethical standards through its Supplier Code of Conduct.
Airbus invests in employee growth and development and extends these expectations to its supply chain, providing channels for whistleblowing and compliance monitoring. The company also participates in humanitarian relief efforts and youth development programmes globally.
Path to Decarbonisation
Airbus is pursuing a structured approach to decarbonisation with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Immediate measures focus on optimising operations and infrastructure, including air traffic management improvements, single-engine taxiing, and continuous descent approaches that can collectively cut CO₂ emissions by around 10%.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) forms another major pillar of the strategy, with a target for all Airbus aircraft to be 100% SAF-capable by 2030. Airbus already uses SAF in its own operations, and aircraft delivered from final assembly lines leave with 5% SAF.
Longer-term efforts focus on disruptive technologies such as advanced aerodynamics, airframe design and hydrogen propulsion. Airbus sees hydrogen fuel cells as one of the most promising solutions for future propulsion systems.
Latest-generation aircraft provide immediate efficiency benefits, delivering around 25% lower emissions compared with previous-generation models. Currently, 25% of the African fleet consists of latest-generation aircraft, a figure comparable to the global average of 30%.
Full Life-Cycle Approach
Airbus applies sustainability principles throughout the aircraft life cycle, from design and research to manufacturing, operations and end-of-life dismantling. The company practices closed-loop recycling of materials such as titanium and aluminium to conserve resources and reduce its manufacturing footprint.
The company has committed to reducing its industrial emissions by 63% by 2030, compared with 2015 levels, and aims for a 46% reduction in CO₂ emissions from its commercial aircraft by 2035.
Airbus continues to see Africa as a key growth market and is investing in infrastructure, training and support to meet future demand.
