The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African governments to place aviation at the centre of national development strategies, describing it as essential infrastructure that can unlock long-term economic and social progress across the continent.

Speaking at the Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, said aviation should be viewed as a catalyst for job creation, trade expansion, tourism growth, and regional integration.

He noted that a well-structured aviation strategy focused on safety, cost efficiency, energy security, sustainability, and a business-friendly regulatory environment would generate lasting economic benefits. According to him, these gains would outweigh short-term revenue considerations from taxation on passengers.

Safety improvements remain critical

While Africa has made progress in aviation safety, IATA highlighted that further improvement is needed. The region’s accident rate declined from 12.13 per million sectors in 2024 to 7.86 in 2025, yet it remains significantly above the global average of 1.32, making it the highest of any region.

IATA urged stronger implementation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, noting that effective compliance across 46 of 48 Sub-Saharan African states stands at 60.34%, compared with the global average of 69.46% and a target of 75%.

The organisation also pointed to gaps in accident reporting, stating that only 19% of accident reports between 2019 and 2023 were completed, far below the global average of 63%. It stressed that delays or incomplete investigations limit access to safety lessons.

To address these challenges, IATA called for broader use of global safety programmes, including IOSA, ISSA, and ISAGO, to strengthen operational oversight and risk management.

High operating costs remain a barrier

IATA also raised concerns over the cost of doing business in African aviation, noting that taxes and charges imposed by governments and infrastructure providers are around 15% higher than the global average.

The association criticised rising passenger and data-related charges, including Tanzania’s API-PNR fee of $45 per one-way journey, described as the highest globally. Similar high charges were also reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.

It further urged governments to implement the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decision scheduled for December 2025 to eliminate aviation taxes and reduce selected charges by 25%, stressing the importance of full and timely execution.

IATA also recommended maintaining residence-based corporate taxation for airlines, warning that source-based taxation models under discussion at the United Nations could lead to double taxation due to the cross-border nature of aviation.

Regulatory barriers affecting operations

The organisation highlighted ongoing challenges in revenue repatriation, noting that airlines continue to face restrictions despite international agreements guaranteeing access to earned funds.

As of March 2026, Africa accounted for the largest share of globally blocked airline funds, totalling $774 million. The highest amounts were recorded in Algeria ($258 million), followed by the XAF Zone ($105 million), Mozambique ($82 million), Eritrea ($78 million), and Angola ($73 million).

Alawadhi stressed the need for urgent action in Algeria, saying industry engagement with authorities had so far produced limited progress, while airlines continued to comply with complex requirements.

Visa restrictions were also identified as a major obstacle, with nearly half of intra-African travel still requiring prior visas, limiting mobility, tourism growth, and regional economic integration.

Sustainability and energy opportunities

On sustainability, IATA highlighted opportunities for Africa in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and global carbon market participation.

The organisation noted that Africa could supply up to 57.6 million Eligible Emission Units (EEUs) under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), potentially generating significant climate finance. However, only a limited number of countries, including Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Nigeria, have begun participation.

In addition, IATA said Sub-Saharan Africa could produce up to 106 million tonnes of SAF-compatible feedstock by 2050, using agricultural residues, forestry waste, and municipal solid waste. With supportive policies and infrastructure investment, current renewable fuel capacity could scale significantly, creating jobs and improving energy security.

Source: ZAWYA

India and Pakistan have maintained mutual restrictions on each other’s airspace since April 2025, a situation that continues to affect commercial aviation across the region. While international airlines are still permitted to use the airspace of both countries, carriers from India and Pakistan remain barred from crossing into each other’s territory.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Wednesday that its airspace will remain closed to all Indian-registered aircraft, including those operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines, as well as military flights, until early April 24. The restriction was first imposed on April 24, 2025, following Indian missile strikes linked to Operation Sindhoor.

Subsequently, Pakistan extended the closure to international traffic on May 7, 2025, before reopening its skies a day later for non-Indian airlines. Since then, both nations have continued issuing monthly Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to reaffirm the ongoing restrictions.

The impact of these measures has been uneven. Indian carriers, particularly those operating from northern hubs such as New Delhi, have been forced to reroute flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. These detours have significantly increased operational costs and flight durations.

The situation has been further complicated by regional instability, including conflict in Iran, which has pushed Indian airlines to adopt longer routes over Africa for Europe-bound flights. In many cases, this has extended travel times by up to two hours.

Long-haul services have also been affected. For example, flights from New Delhi to New York operated by Air India now often include a stopover in Europe, stretching total journey times to approximately 22 hours. By comparison, US-based carriers that can traverse Pakistani airspace complete similar routes in around 16 hours.

Air India has estimated that the restrictions are costing the airline roughly $600 million annually. A company representative recently noted at an international aviation forum in Mumbai that competitors have increasingly captured market share as a result of these operational challenges.

Passenger trends reflect this shift. While international airlines operating direct services between Bengaluru and London have reported growing demand, Air India has not experienced a similar increase, largely due to the longer and less efficient routes it must operate.

Source: Khaleej Times

In a move to bolster regional security, the United Kingdom has confirmed the deployment of four additional Typhoon jets from the Royal Air Force to Qatar. This strategic reinforcement is part of ongoing efforts to support defensive operations in the region, further solidifying the UK’s commitment to regional stability.

The newly dispatched jets will supplement the existing aircraft stationed at the UK-Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron. These jets were first deployed in January to enhance security measures, protect British nationals, and safeguard the country's interests in the region.

This latest deployment signals the UK's unwavering support for its allies and its determination to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of its citizens and national assets. The UK government has reiterated that it will continue to work closely with international partners to maintain peace and security in the region.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has firmly rejected Iranian claims regarding recent missile strikes, asserting that the attacks were directed at civilian and residential areas within Qatar, contradicting Iran's explanation that they were aimed at American interests.

During a phone call with Dr. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the missile strikes, which impacted areas such as the vicinity of Hamad International Airport and key industrial zones, including facilities linked to liquefied natural gas production, violated Qatar’s sovereignty. He stressed that the evidence on the ground clearly disproved Iran’s assertions.

The Prime Minister described the missile attacks as a "flagrant violation" of both Qatar's sovereignty and international law. He further pointed out that these strikes were part of a broader escalation involving drones and aircraft, with the latter being intercepted by Qatar's armed forces as they entered the country’s airspace.

Sheikh Mohammed also condemned Iran's approach as "escalatory" and accused Tehran of attempting to draw neighboring countries into a conflict that does not concern them. He called for an immediate cessation of attacks on states that have sought to remain neutral, urging all parties to focus on the broader interests of regional peace and stability.

While reaffirming Qatar's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, Sheikh Mohammed made it clear that the country would take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security. He pointed to Qatar’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stressing that such acts of aggression would not go unanswered.

A significant disruption to air travel occurred on Sunday, as over 3,400 flights were canceled across seven major airports in the Middle East. According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the cancellations affected key transportation hubs in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, which experienced widespread airspace closures due to escalating regional tensions.

Airports including Hamad International Airport in Doha, Dubai International Airport, and Bahrain International Airport saw massive operational shutdowns, halting both domestic and international flights. The closures are linked to the ongoing geopolitical developments and airspace restrictions in the region.

This large-scale disruption has left thousands of passengers stranded, with many facing delays and extended waiting times as airlines and authorities work to manage the situation. Travelers are urged to check with airlines for updates on flight statuses, as the closures continue to impact flight schedules.

As the situation evolves, aviation authorities in the affected countries are monitoring the situation closely and providing updates as new information becomes available. Passengers are advised to stay informed through airline websites or customer service hotlines.

This comes as part of ongoing regional developments, which have led to airspace restrictions across several Middle Eastern countries.

Flight operations at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Bahraini airspace. The measure, implemented as part of a precautionary protocol, has led to the temporary suspension of both incoming and outgoing flights.

Airport authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant aviation and government agencies to ensure passenger safety and operational readiness once clearance is granted to resume flights.

Passengers are strongly advised to stay updated through official channels, including the Bahrain International Airport website and their respective airlines’ communication platforms, for the latest information on flight schedules and travel advisories.

Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available.