Emirates Plans to Expand Africa Routes by 2025 With Bigger Fleet

Emirates, the largest international airline, is planning to expand in Africa with at least 10 new routes by 2025 and a jet fleet worth $10 billion to $12 billion, according to President Tim Clark.

The carrier is seeking African destinations with oil and gas reserves that need regular transport for people and cargo, Clark told reporters at the Africa Global Business Forum in Dubai, where it’s based. The company is also considering opportunities in West African countries such as Equatorial Guinea and Togo.

Emirates is seeing a drop in demand for flights to Africa from Asia because of the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, he said. The airline flies to 22 destinations on the continent and has planes worth about $7 billion operating there.

Emirates will take delivery of 24 aircraft in 2015, Clark said. The carrier has recourse to a range of financing instruments including operating leases.