Outline:
Growth of Intra-African Aviation
Africa’s aviation sector is witnessing a significant transformation as airlines are reviving long-dormant routes and expanding into new, previously underserved corridors across the continent. Over the past two years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of direct flights connecting various African cities, marking a renewed push for the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative.
One of the latest developments is the launch of direct flights between Luanda, Angola, and Nairobi, Kenya. This service, operated by TAAG, Angola’s national carrier, began on September 1. The inaugural flight, using an Airbus A220-300 aircraft with a capacity for 137 passengers, carried commercial travelers along with a delegation of Angolan and Kenyan officials. According to Nicanor Sabula, the chief executive officer of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents, this route will make Africa more connected and competitive.
This new route is part of a broader trend where airlines are not only linking regions but also enhancing inter-regional connectivity. The African Airlines Association highlighted that such connections support intra-African mobility and promote regional integration. A report by Embraer, titled Connectivity Africa, noted that over 70 city pairs in Africa have transitioned from unserved to served with direct flights between 2014 and 2024. The report suggests that the industry’s expansion is driven by pent-up demand, especially in markets with low traffic, where the introduction of direct flights can significantly boost travel.
Kenya’s tourism board has recognized the potential of these new routes. Allan Njoroge, acting CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, mentioned that the African market contributed 41% of Kenya’s total arrivals in 2024, totaling 975,883 visitors. He emphasized that the Luanda–Nairobi flight could help increase tourist numbers from Southern Africa.
Other airlines are also making strategic moves. Kenya Airways added Maputo, Mozambique, to its network last year and increased frequencies on several existing routes, including Accra, Freetown, and Lagos. Uganda Airlines launched Entebbe–Lagos flights in late 2024, marking its first direct service to West Africa in over two decades. It also introduced new routes to Accra and Lusaka the same year. Nigeria’s Air Peace expanded its services with a triangular Lagos–Abidjan–Dakar route in early 2024 and increased frequencies to Johannesburg. Rwandair unveiled a new route map that includes plans for flights between Kigali and Mombasa, Zanzibar, Maputo, and Luanda, aiming to position Kigali as a pan-African hub. Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir have also entered underserved Central African markets.
In late 2023, Ethiopian Airlines started flights to Bangui, Central African Republic, with three weekly services, and resumed operations to Ndjamena, Chad. EgyptAir launched a new route connecting Cairo to Mogadishu, Somalia, with a stopover in Djibouti in July 2024.
The surge in intra-African routes has received positive feedback from African governments, who view aviation as crucial for trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Out of the AU’s 55 member states, 38 have signed up for the SAATM initiative, with Malawi being the most recent addition. However, observers and industry experts stress the need for more coordination to achieve the initiative’s goal of liberalizing air transport across the continent.
During the Africa Aviation Summit in Kigali, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame highlighted the growing demand for air travel across African borders. He stated that passenger traffic on the continent is expected to double in the coming years. Kagame emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market and the AfCFTA in driving prosperity.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. High operational costs and infrastructure gaps continue to make movement of people and cargo expensive. Kagame urged collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that air travel is accessible to all and not just the wealthy. He stressed that Africa has the resources and capabilities needed to achieve the vision of one sky and free movement.