African governments urged to remove barriers driving up air travel costs

The call was made during the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Nairobi, where industry stakeholders pushed for greater implementation of open-skies policies and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

748 Air Services Managing Director Moses Mwangi said greater market openness could encourage airlines to introduce more routes and increase competition, potentially giving passengers more affordable travel options.

“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.

He said the cost of flying was influenced by factors across the aviation sector, including airport charges, infrastructure, regulation and the cost of establishing and operating routes.

“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.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who addressed the summit, said travellers between neighbouring African countries are often forced to transit through destinations outside the continent, adding to travel time and costs.

Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s commitment to SAATM and called for stronger cooperation among African countries through harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards, improved safety oversight and greater investment in aviation infrastructure.

SAATM was established to liberalise African air transport markets and improve connectivity by giving eligible African airlines greater access to routes across participating countries.

Mwangi said improved connectivity would support trade, tourism and investment, particularly for small businesses, traders and professionals who depend on efficient movement across borders.

“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,” he said.

The discussions come as African countries seek to deepen intra-African trade and economic integration, with aviation seen as a key link between markets that remain poorly connected by direct flights.

The summit also brought together airlines, regulators, airports and other aviation industry players to discuss market access, infrastructure, technology and the future of air transport on the continent.