As the African Union (AU) gathers its leaders for their annual summit in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, the aviation industry eagerly awaits decisive action to address long-standing bottlenecks.
Despite being the second-largest continent, covering 30.4 million square kilometres—larger than the U.S., China, India, and most of Europe combined—Africa remains the least connected continent by air. With 54 countries, the necessity for efficient air transport is undeniable.
However, Africa accounts about 2% of global air traffic having 18% of the world’s population, according to IATA. Only 10% of Africans travel by air, compared to 50% in the U.S. and Europe. Weak intra-African connectivity forces many travellers to rely on non-African hubs, such as Europe or the Middle East, for connections—a major hurdle to economic integration.
Yet, amid these challenges, one airline continues to defy the odds and set global benchmarks—Ethiopian Airlines. Its success is not accidental but the result of decades of relentless effort across generations, overcoming formidable challenges in Africa’s aviation landscape. As a true pan-African airline, Ethiopian champions SAATM and works towards its fullest implementation. Contributing to its capacity, Ethiopian encourages the noble initiative of The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by offering a 10% discount on General cargo Shipment conducted intra-Africa.
Speaking on the issue, MesfinTasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, reaffirmed the airline’s unwavering commitment to serving Africa through thick and thin. However, he highlighted, among others, the following two major barriers:
- Traffic rights restrictions imposed by African governments.
- Exorbitant fees and taxes levied on African airlines.
These restrictions do not only harm Ethiopian Airlines but also the very countries imposing them. Mesfin cited a striking example: a leader of a country that limits Ethiopian’s traffic rights had to fly via Delhi just to reach Addis Ababa—a clear indication of the inefficiency caused by restrictive policies.
IATA supports this call for reform, stating that Africa has some of the highest airfares per kilometre due to excessive taxes, airport charges, and limited competition. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to the continent, serving 65 cities in about 40 African countries, making it the leading carrier in intra-African connectivity.
Air transport is a key driver of economic growth, tourism, regional integration, job creation, and competitiveness. Easing restrictive policies and lowering excessive taxes is crucial for Africa’s progress. It is time for African governments to heed the call of Ethiopian Airlines’ Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew—a leader at the helm of one of the world’s most successful airlines, who speaks not from theory but from lived experience.
Africa’s future depends on opening its skies. The time for change is now.
BY SOLOMON GEBREMEDHIN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2025
