The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling on African governments to take urgent action to strengthen the continent’s aviation sector.
The appeal comes as part of IATA’s Focus Africa initiative, launched in 2023 to improve safety, affordability, and connectivity across the region.
“Africa’s aviation sector is a vital economic driver, contributing USD 75 billion to GDP and supporting 8.1 million jobs,” said Somas Appavou, IATA’s Regional Director External Affairs for Africa.
“More important than the growth of the sector is the impact that a successful aviation industry has on social and economic development.”
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The continent’s air travel market is expected to grow at 4.1% annually, doubling by 2044.
IATA warns that unless governments take concrete steps, the benefits of that growth may not be fully realized.
Three Priorities
1. Improving Safety Standards
While aviation safety in Africa has improved, the region still lags behind global averages. IATA reports that the implementation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards is at 59.49% in Sub-Saharan Africa, compared to the global average of 69.16%, and well below the 75% target.
Runway excursions were the most common type of accident in Africa in 2024.
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IATA is calling for renewed support for ICAO’s Runway Safety Team programs and urges African states to comply with ICAO Annex 13 by issuing timely accident reports.
Of 42 accidents on the continent between 2018 and 2023, only eight final reports have been published.
2. Reducing Taxes and Charges
Air travel in Africa is 15% more expensive than the global average due to higher taxes and charges, which IATA says discourages travel and hinders economic growth.
“Transporting travelers and goods stimulates job creation,” Appavou said. “Destroying demand with excessive taxation puts a brake on economic and social development.”
IATA is urging better coordination between governments and industry to ensure aviation infrastructure is affordable, scalable, and growth-focused.
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3. Unblocking Airline Funds
As of May 2025, $1 billion in airline revenues are being held by African governments—accounting for 73% of the world’s total blocked airline funds.
These funds are stuck in 26 African countries.
Airlines impacted by blocked funds often reduce services or suspend routes entirely. IATA says this limits international connectivity and stifles economic opportunity.
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“Airlines cannot operate in a market if they are unable to repatriate revenues,” Appavou said.
“Governments need to live up to their international obligation and remove all barriers to airline revenue repatriation.”
Environmental Goals
IATA also called on African states to support the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the only globally agreed market-based measure to curb CO2 emissions from international flights.
As of 2025, 20 African countries are participating in the voluntary phase of CORSIA, with mandatory reporting set to begin in 2027.
IATA emphasized that making CORSIA-compliant emissions units available to airlines would help countries meet their international commitments while generating revenue through carbon markets and climate investment.
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“Aviation is not a luxury. It is an economic and social lifeline,” Appavou said.
“Focus Africa is about turning potential into jobs, growth, and prosperity.”
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