Nairobi, September 9, 2026 — Africa must embrace deeper liberalisation of its aviation sector and fully implement open-skies principles if the continent is to unlock affordable air travel, expand intra-African connectivity and make aviation a stronger engine of economic growth.
748 Air Services was privileged to attend the Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Nairobi, where discussions revolved around “Breaking the Mould” and the need for Africa’s aviation industry to challenge traditional approaches to connectivity, market access and the cost of air travel.
According to Moses Mwangi, Managing Director of 748 Air Services, the discussions at the Summit highlighted some of the key issues that must be addressed for African aviation to realise its full potential.
“Africa has enormous aviation potential, but unlocking it requires us to look differently at how our markets are connected. Greater openness can create room for more routes, stronger competition and ultimately greater choice for passengers,” said Mwangi.
The African aviation market remains significantly underdeveloped relative to the continent’s population, economic potential and growing demand for business, tourism and leisure travel. Improving connectivity requires governments, regulators, airports and airlines to work together to address barriers that make establishing and operating routes difficult or costly.
“Affordable air travel is a function of the entire aviation ecosystem. Competitive airport charges, efficient infrastructure, predictable regulation and policies that encourage connectivity all have a role to play. When the cost of operating a route is high, ultimately that cost finds its way into the ticket price,” Mwangi said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, addressing delegates at the Summit, noted that many journeys between neighbouring African countries still require travellers to transit through destinations outside the continent, increasing travel time and costs while limiting trade and economic integration.
He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and called for stronger collaboration through harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards, strengthened safety oversight, open skies and greater investment in aviation infrastructure.
Greater implementation of SAATM and the broader open-skies agenda could fundamentally change the economics of African aviation by allowing airlines greater access to markets and enabling networks to develop in response to passenger demand. “Africa cannot have a truly integrated economy if it remains difficult or expensive to fly from one African city to another. Trade, tourism and investment all depend on connectivity.
Aviation therefore has an important role to play in Africa’s wider economic integration,” said Mwangi. Stronger intra-African connectivity could particularly benefit SMEs, traders, tourism operators, manufacturers and professionals who need to move people and goods efficiently across borders.
The continent’s growing middle class, expanding tourism sector, increasing intra-African trade and growing business activity also provide a strong foundation for aviation growth.
“This is an important moment for African aviation. The demand and economic opportunity are there. What is needed is an enabling environment that allows the industry to grow, compete and connect more Africans,” said Mwangi.
The Summit also presented an opportunity for 748 Air Services to engage with key industry partners and suppliers, including DOTAS Aviation, which recently supported the airline’s sustainability efforts through the retrofit of LED cabin lighting on its aircraft.
The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss the role of emerging aviation technologies in improving energy efficiency, sustainability and the overall cabin environment.
748 Air Services’ participation in the Aviation Africa Summit also provided a valuable platform to strengthen industry relationships, exchange knowledge and engage with innovations shaping the future of aviation.
