VIDEO: African airports missing the A380 opportunities

The major Gulf carriers and global majors such as BA and Singapore Airlines have been growing passenger numbers in key world cities with the Airbus super jumbo, the A380.

But the manufacturer Airbus is becoming increasingly frustrated that major cities in Africa have failed to make the changes that would enable the A380 to bring more passengers to the key African cities.

"Why are Cape Town International, Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International, Ethiopia's Bole International and Lagos's MMIA not yet able to accommodate an A380?" asked an Airbus spokesman.

"Airbus’ 544-seat, double-deck A380 is opening up new opportunities for many airports, as well as their passengers and airlines, helping major international hubs and airports in emerging markets across the globe increase revenue, boost capacity, free up slots at their gates and reduce landing fees. Yet those in Africa are still unable to accommodate the superjumbo and realise these benefits."

Airbus has produced a new video extolling the virtues of doing business with A380 and it is being circulated around Africa.