Central Africa’s Air Connectivity in 2024: A Closer Look at Challenges and Opportunities
As part of the #AirConnectivityAfrica series, this analysis dives into Central Africa’s air connectivity landscape, where the region trails Eastern and Western Africa for intra-regional flights. With only 141 scheduled flights, compared to 994 in Eastern and 735 in West Africa, the connectivity gap remains substantial.
The Central Africa Air Transport corridor is gaining attention for its pivotal role in economic development across 11 airports in 10 countries. This network spans Angola, DR Congo, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, and Equatorial Guinea, and is critical to improving connectivity and supporting growth in the region.
Key Highlights:
- Top Route: Douala (DLA) to Malabo (SSG) with 9 weekly flights.
- Most Connected City: Libreville (LBV), Gabon, offering direct flights to 7 cities.
- Leading Airline: Afrijet Business Service, holding 40.4% of regional flight frequencies.
- High Travel Costs: 10 out of 11 cities impose passenger service charges above Africa’s average of $48, with higher-than-average landing fees also impacting connectivity.
Central Africa’s air connectivity remains among Africa’s least developed, lagging behind Eastern and Western Africa in intra-regional flights, with only 141 scheduled flights compared to 994 in Eastern and 735 in Western Africa. Libreville in Gabon stands out with the highest connectivity, largely driven by Afrijet’s 40.4% market share. High passenger service charges and elevated landing fees further hinder affordability. However, initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) could foster improved connectivity across the region.
Enhancing Central Africa’s Air Connectivity
Central Africa’s vast landscape of 6.67 million km² and its population of approximately 200 million underscore a significant growth potential in air connectivity. With strategic investments, regional partnerships, and strong policy frameworks, this potential could be unlocked.
Collaborative initiatives, like the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the adoption of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), are key. These programs aim to unify policies, lower airline entry barriers, and reduce operational costs—making air travel more affordable and accessible, while fueling economic growth across the region.
By: Vallency Otieno
Source: AviHub Network