African aviation players push for increased connectivity
Shipping & Logistics
By
Macharia Kamau
| Jun 18, 2026
One of the most striking yet underwhelming facts in the Kenyan and African aviation sectors is the small share of global travel that Africa has as a continent compared with global peers.
According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa accounts for only two per cent of global air travel.
Given the continent’s vast size and large distances between major trade hubs, enhancing intra-African air connectivity is a critical enabler of political and economic integration.
Aviation experts who met in Mombasa during a forum for the African aviation industry agreed that it’s time Africa liberalised its skies, made its skies safer and enhanced connectivity for the industry to grow.
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African aviation industry players push for increased connectivity
The seventh East African Community (EAC) Aviation Symposium was hosted by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA).
KCAA Chairman Brown Ondego said at the forum liberalising air transport services is indispensable for accelerating inclusive growth, investment, and job creation in East Africa and Africa as a whole.
He particularly cited the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as a platform that aims to liberalise air services across the continent, unlocking economic, social, and political benefits like those achieved through land-based regional corridors.
SAATM is an initiative of the African Union to create a unified, liberalised air transport market in Africa, launched in 2018 to boost intra-African connectivity, reduce fares, and promote economic integration.
“Air transport is a fundamental catalyst of Africa’s development trajectory. Airlines, airport operators, airport retailers, air navigation service providers and civil aircraft manufacturers directly contribute $12 billion (Sh1.56 trillion), equivalent to at least 0.35 per cent of the continent’s GDP,” said Ondego.
He further noted that “stronger networks support Africa’s ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), from opening commercial opportunities to strengthening regional tourism, travel, and innovation ecosystems.”
While emphasising liberalised skies, the forum also called for safety in the skies, Odengo said.
“In today’s interconnected world, aviation plays a pivotal role in facilitating global travel and commerce. Aviation security is paramount to ensuring the safety of passengers. With millions of individuals travelling by air each day, airports must remain vigilant in identifying and mitigating potential threats.
The security of aircraft and airport infrastructure is equally important. Safeguarding planes from acts of terrorism, sabotage, or unauthorised access helps maintain the integrity of the aviation industry.”
According to data from IATA, the accident rate in Africa dropped to 7.86 per million flights in 2025, down from 12.13 in 2024, indicating improved safety measures and tighter oversight.
The region experienced 25 onboard fatalities in 2025, a rise from zero in 2024. Despite these improvements, the African continent maintained the highest all-accident rate globally, which is significantly higher than the 2025 global average of 1.32 per million flights.
“While demand for travel is strong and profits are expected to rise, the margin for error remains narrow due to high operating costs,” said Odengo.
At the same time, he emphasised that the aviation sector must foster industry partnerships and secure robust financing to navigate a complex, high-stakes environment in 2026.
“The industry, especially in the East African region, is facing a transformative period driven by the urgent need for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, supply chain fragility, geopolitical volatility, and the need for technological innovation,” he stressed.
According to the Economic Survey 2026, recently published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), air transport in Kenya showed positive growth, driven by increased passenger movement and cargo throughput, contributing to the overall 3.7 per cent growth in transportation and storage.