Contextual Setting of the African Air Transport Market

This chapter offers a comprehensive examination of the African air transport market, emphasising the distinctive challenges and opportunities it faces in comparison to global standards. It starts with an overview of the market’s current state, underscoring the limited global passenger traffic share but noting significant intra-African growth prospects and the potential for future expansion as predicted by industry forecasts. The chapter critically assesses the role of regional economic communities (RECs) in fostering economic integration across Africa, highlighting their efforts towards liberalisation and the varied success across regions. It further explores the vital importance of infrastructure integration and air connectivity, detailing the determinants, benefits, and the post-Covid-19 recovery prospects. The narrative then shifts to the challenges plaguing the African aviation industry, including infrastructural inadequacies and regulatory barriers, which have historically stifled growth. Additionally, the chapter evaluates the transformative impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on the aviation sector, proposing enhanced market access and increased intra-African trade as principal advantages. The examination extends into the broader implications of AfCFTA for air transport infrastructure and stakeholder engagement, providing a nuanced analysis of its potential to redefine African aviation. Through this exploration, this chapter elucidates the complex interplay between regional economic policies, aviation market dynamics, and infrastructural development, offering insights into the future trajectory of the African air transport market.