Africa’s fragmented airspace continues to be a major hurdle to the continent’s aviation growth, industry players have said.
This comes as Nairobi leads the call for coordinated air traffic management reforms to lower operational costs, improve connectivity and unlock trade opportunities.
Air navigation service providers, regulators and industry stakeholders have identified priority investments and practical reforms needed to make the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) deliver tangible economic benefits, an outcome of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Africa Conference 2026.
The industry says liberalising air transport alone will not be enough to achieve the continent’s ambitions unless countries also modernise air traffic management systems, improve cross-border coordination and strengthen the capacity to handle rising passenger and cargo volumes.
Efficient airspace management, for airlines, can also improve schedules and reduce fuel consumption.
Exporters stand to benefit from more reliable cargo connections, while tourism operators could gain from stronger links between African destinations.
“Africa does not need more vision documents; it needs clear priorities and a realistic path to deliver them,” said Thabani Myeza, director of Africa affairs at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO).
“We need to agree on the priorities together and make sure our skies are ready to support the growth SAATM will bring,” he said.
SAATM, an African Union initiative, seeks to liberalise air transport across participating countries, improve connectivity and create an integrated continental aviation market.
Its success, however, depends partly on whether infrastructure and operational systems can accommodate increased cross-border traffic.
When neighbouring countries have limited coordination or incompatible systems, airlines can face inefficient flight planning, delays and additional fuel costs.
Conflict-related airspace closures can compound the problem by forcing aircraft to take longer routes.
The financial pressure is already significant, with industry estimates, based on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2026 outlook, putting African airlines’ net profit margin at just 0.2 per cent, compared with a global average of 2 per cent.
Profit per passenger is estimated at about $0.40 (Sh52), against a global average of $7.90 (Sh1,022).
According to IATA data, the $0.40 figure means an African carrier keeps just 40 cents after covering all operating expenses for one passenger's flight (one-way trip).
Airlines also face taxes and charges accounting for an estimated 35 to 40 per cent of ticket prices in Africa, compared with about 20 per cent globally.
An estimated $774 million (Sh100.2 billion) in airline funds also remains blocked across the continent, limiting carriers’ access to revenue.
Nairobi is leading the call for prioritising operational cooperation, cross-border information sharing and coordinated investment in air navigation technology to improve efficiency and safety.
Andrea Sack, CANSO senior vice-president for global operations, said regional ownership and practical implementation would determine the success of reforms.
“Transformation only works when it is practical, collaborative and driven by the region itself,” Sack said. “Nairobi gives us the chance to connect Africa’s priorities with global initiatives and to make sure no one is left behind as we modernise.”
The consequences extend beyond airlines. Poorly integrated aviation networks and cargo infrastructure limit exporters’ access to competitive transport services, particularly for flowers, fish and fresh produce that require reliable cold-chain logistics and rapid delivery.
Industry estimates indicate that about 65 per cent of Africa’s perishable exports are transported out of the continent by non-African airlines, highlighting the opportunity to strengthen African carriers and cargo networks.
Dr Serah Waitiki, director of the East African School of Aviation, said workforce development must accompany technological investment.
“As air traffic grows and aviation evolves, we must strengthen training, develop the next generation of aviation professionals and equip our workforce with the competencies needed to deliver safe, efficient and resilient air navigation services,” she said.
For Kenya, better-coordinated skies could reinforce Nairobi’s role as a gateway for business travel, tourism and cargo across East and Central Africa.
However, the benefits will depend on governments translating policy commitments into investment, compatible systems and sustained cooperation between regulators and service providers.
