Travellers alarmed by disparity in aircraft quality on African routes

SKY BIAS

- ZAMANDOSI CELE

ARE airlines using older aircraft to service routes in Africa? A growing number of international travellers are expressing concern over the noticeable disparity in the quality of aircraft servicing routes to Africa compared to those serving Europe and the Americas.

Many passengers report finding themselves aboard older, worn-out planes, often with malfunctioning infotainment systems when flying to African destinations - contrasting starkly with the newer and more luxurious aircraft seen on flights to wealthier regions.

On social media, travellers are increasingly vocal about their experiences. On Reddit, a user identified as @alex1b shared an alarming observation: “I have noticed a pattern when flying with flagship airlines that the aeroplanes going to developing countries are in much worse condition, older, often dirty, and tend to have broken infotainment systems.