Africa's skies finally open up to growth
African aviation is poised for a major turnaround, bucking years of slow progress and decline. Despite the continent's notorious road network troubles and lingering safety concerns in some areas, flying remains the fastest and safest way to connect people and economies. As Africa's youthful, energetic population drives rapid economic expansion, its air transport sector is poised to thrive more than many imagine.
From yamoussoukro to saatm: a path to open skies
Two decades ago, the Yamoussoukro Decision aimed to liberalize air travel across Africa. But progress was sluggish, hindered by closed markets, funding shortages, and poor management. Decades of state control over skies saw outside competition blocked, despite promises. Airlines like Air Afrique, South African Airways, and others crashed due to oversight failures, favoritism, and debt.
However, pioneering airlines are now shaping adaptable systems focused on hub networks and updated fleets to drive long-term growth. National authorities are increasingly recognizing the value of flight services for commerce, tourism, and national progress, prompting faster moves toward open skies via the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Evidence of this shift is mounting, with fewer restrictions between countries and better route links emerging. Ethiopian Airlines, fully owned by the government but operating independently, leads the way from its Addis Ababa hub, with a network stretching across the continent. Its income reached $4.4 billion in the first half of 2025/26, up 14% from last year, with 10 million passengers flown and 147 planes active. Upgrades continue with new Boeing and Airbus models under its Vision 2035 plan.
Similarly, Royal Air Maroc is regaining momentum through strategic growth centered on Casablanca, now serving as a connector between continents. The carrier operates around 60-61 planes, including Boeing 737s and 787 Dreamliners, and plans to add 10 more destinations by 2026, aiming to scale up to 200 aircraft within a decade.
Other carriers, such as Egyptair, Kenya Airways, and Rwanda's RwandAir, are also pushing forward, despite past challenges and setbacks.
As these plans unfold, the nation strengthens its role in global air travel networks, planes once grounded now signal fresh momentum across African aviation.