Africa could significantly reduce the cost of air travel and improve intra-continental connectivity by deepening aviation liberalisation and accelerating implementation of open-skies policies, industry stakeholders have said.
The issue featured prominently at the Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Nairobi, held under the theme “Breaking the Mould”, where industry players examined ways of improving market access, connectivity and the affordability of air transport across the continent.
Moses Mwangi, Managing Director of 748 Air Services, said the discussions highlighted the need for African countries to reconsider policies that restrict market access and make it difficult or expensive for airlines to establish new routes.
“Africa has enormous aviation potential, but unlocking it requires us to look differently at how our markets are connected. Greater openness can create room for more routes, stronger competition and ultimately greater choice for passengers,” Mwangi said.
Africa’s aviation market remains relatively underdeveloped compared with the continent’s population, economic potential and growing demand for business, tourism and leisure travel.
Mwangi said improving connectivity would require greater cooperation between governments, regulators, airports and airlines to address operational and regulatory barriers affecting route development.
“Affordable air travel is a function of the entire aviation ecosystem. Competitive airport charges, efficient infrastructure, predictable regulation and policies that encourage connectivity all have a role to play. When the cost of operating a route is high, ultimately that cost finds its way into the ticket price,” he said.
Speaking at the Summit, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi pointed to the continued difficulty of travelling between some African countries, noting that passengers are sometimes required to transit through destinations outside the continent even when travelling between neighbouring states.
Such routing increases travel time and costs while limiting opportunities for trade, tourism and wider economic integration.
Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s commitment to implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and called for stronger cooperation among African countries through harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards, enhanced safety oversight, open skies and increased investment in aviation infrastructure.
The implementation of SAATM is expected to provide airlines with greater access to African markets, creating opportunities for carriers to expand routes and develop networks around passenger demand.
Mwangi said improved connectivity would be critical to the continent’s broader economic integration.
“Africa cannot have a truly integrated economy if it remains difficult or expensive to fly from one African city to another. Trade, tourism and investment all depend on connectivity. Aviation therefore has an important role to play in Africa’s wider economic integration,” he said.
More affordable and reliable air connections could benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, traders, tourism operators, manufacturers and professionals whose businesses depend on the movement of people and goods across borders.
The continent’s expanding middle class, growing tourism industry and increasing intra-African trade are also creating opportunities for expansion of the aviation market.
“This is an important moment for African aviation. The demand and economic opportunity are there. What is needed is an enabling environment that allows the industry to grow, compete and connect more Africans,” Mwangi said.
The Nairobi Summit also provided an opportunity for 748 Air Services to engage with aviation industry partners and suppliers, including DOTAS Aviation, which recently supported the airline’s sustainability efforts through the retrofit of LED cabin lighting on its aircraft.
The engagement focused on emerging aviation technologies and their potential to improve energy efficiency, sustainability and the passenger cabin environment.
748 Air Services said its participation in the Summit provided an opportunity to strengthen industry relationships, exchange knowledge and engage with developments shaping the future of African aviation.
