African aviation market liberalization efforts

Efforts to enhance intra-African connectivity and reduce travel costs are centered on the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Currently, only 19 percent of intra-African routes offer direct flights, frequently requiring transit through European or Middle Eastern hubs. High operating costs, including fuel prices 17 percent higher and taxes 12 to 15 percent above the global average, have contributed to these inefficiencies.

To address these challenges, the continent is adopting a ‘Free Route Airspace’ system, allowing airlines to utilize user-preferred routes for more direct paths. Stakeholders at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Africa Conference in Nairobi have called for a transition from policy commitments to practical delivery. Key priorities include modernizing air traffic management, coordinating regional investments, and increasing workforce training.

In West Africa, Liberia and Senegal are advancing liberalization efforts to remove regulatory obstacles and expand direct flight options, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation through the SAATM framework.