The coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, is currently playing host to the 19th Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications, and Meteorology. The conference, brimming with potential, is primarily focused on liberalizing the Upper Airspace and lowering airfares across East Africa, marking a transformative moment for the region’s aviation industry.
Key topics on the agenda cover a broad spectrum of infrastructure, including railways, road networks, maritime projects, communications, and meteorological advancements. However, it is the discussion of airspace liberalization that stands out, as it could fundamentally alter how East Africans travel by air.
In his keynote address during the opening session on Tuesday, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC’s Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors, highlighted the significant progress the Community has made toward a unified and efficient airspace. The completion of Phase One of this project is a major milestone, laying the groundwork for more integrated air navigation systems across the region.
The liberalization of air transport services is a promising step toward greater connectivity within the EAC, as national airlines will soon be able to operate more freely between member states. However, despite these optimistic developments, high airfares continue to serve as a considerable obstacle to accessible air travel. Routes like Nairobi to Entebbe, Nairobi to Kigali, and Nairobi to Dar es Salaam have earned a reputation for being among the priciest in the world, creating a significant barrier for travelers.
The exorbitant costs of air tickets are driven in large part by a combination of regulatory charges, taxes, landing fees, and other levies, which contribute to 43% of the total price. Regulatory fees alone can account for up to 24% of the cost of a ticket. This financial burden not only discourages would-be travelers but also hampers the region’s economic growth, inflating the cost of business and stifling commerce.
A study by the African Development Bank underscores this issue, revealing that high ticket prices deter nearly 30% of potential passengers within the region. To remedy this, experts are advocating for the removal of tariffs, which could significantly reduce ticket prices—potentially bringing costs below $100 for some routes. This reduction would encourage greater travel, benefiting both regional connectivity and economic activity.
The potential impact of liberalizing the air transport sector is nothing short of transformative. Projections suggest that fares could decrease by 9% on average, while flight frequencies could increase by 41%, boosting passenger demand. Moreover, the liberalization process could generate over 46,000 new jobs and contribute an additional $202.1 million annually to the region’s GDP.
Hon. Ariik, representing EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica Nduva, stressed the importance of continuing with the next phases of air transport liberalization. He pointed to the ongoing development of airport infrastructure in various cities such as Hoima, Dodoma, Bugesera, and Juba, alongside South Sudan’s progressive steps in aviation legislation, as evidence of the region’s forward momentum.
While praising the progress towards reduced airfares, Hon. Ariik also emphasized the need for more countries to join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Currently, only three EAC countries are part of this initiative, and Hon. Ariik is calling on all member states to accelerate their participation in the market, which promises to significantly enhance intra-African travel. The completion of this initiative will not only revolutionize air travel within East Africa but could also have a profound effect on the entire continent’s aviation landscape.
