- IATA urges African governments to back reforms and improve aviation safety
- Airlines across Africa still face high operating costs due to taxes and levies
- Call for faster implementation of SAATM to drive intra-Africa travel
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has renewed its call for decisive actions to unlock the full potential of Africa’s aviation sector.
According to Eko Hot Blog, IATA stressed that key reforms are urgently needed to enhance safety, reduce costs, and improve connectivity across the continent. The call was made during the 56th Annual General Assembly of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) held recently in Uganda.
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Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, emphasized that despite Africa accounting for 18% of the global population, its airlines only handle 2.1% of global air traffic.
He highlighted that unlocking this potential demands government-backed policies that focus on reducing fuel taxes, liberalizing airspace, and cutting bureaucratic red tape that stifles operations.
Alawadhi also addressed safety concerns, noting that while improvements have been made, Africa still lags behind global safety standards. He urged countries to adopt the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards, prioritize infrastructure investment, and enforce stricter safety compliance to regain confidence in the market.
Additionally, IATA advocated for the swift implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a project under the African Union aimed at promoting intra-African connectivity and making air travel more affordable and accessible for Africans.
Africa’s aviation industry has long been seen as a sleeping giant, with vast potential to connect economies, boost trade, and generate employment. However, this potential remains underutilized due to persistent policy and infrastructural challenges.
With the right partnerships and a united push from stakeholders across the public and private sectors, Africa can begin to chart a new course one that makes air travel safer, cheaper, and more connected across its vast landscape. As IATA reiterates, the time to act is now.
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