Flying from Nairobi to Lagos can cost more than a ticket to London, a stark reality crippling Africa's promise of unity and free trade. This paradox is the single greatest brake on the continent's economic integration, leaving entrepreneurs, tourists, and families paying the price for skies that remain stubbornly closed.

This is not just a travel inconvenience; it's a multi-billion shilling barrier to growth, directly impacting Kenyan businesses trying to expand across the continent. While low-cost carriers have revolutionized air travel in Europe and Asia, accounting for over 40% of seat capacity, they represent a mere 5% in Africa, a continent larger than China, India, the US, and Europe combined.

The Billion-Shilling Handbrake on Trade

The numbers paint a frustrating picture. International passengers departing from African airports pay an average of $68 (approx. KES 8,900) in taxes and fees, more than double the average in Europe or the Middle East. These charges can constitute over half of a ticket's base fare, effectively pricing out a huge segment of the potential market.

This financial burden has tangible consequences:

• A Kenyan entrepreneur eyeing a deal in Accra must factor in exorbitant travel costs that can render the venture unprofitable.
• A tourist may find it cheaper to holiday in Thailand than to explore the diverse destinations within Africa, stunting a vital economic sector.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a seamless single market, is undermined when the physical movement of people and goods by air remains prohibitively expensive.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has repeatedly warned that this high-tax environment destroys demand and puts a brake on economic development. African airlines are the least profitable in the world, expected to earn a collective net profit of just $200 million (approx. KES 26.2 billion) in 2025, a fraction of the $12.7 billion (approx. KES 1.66 trillion) projected for North American carriers.

Why Are Africa's Skies So Expensive?

The problem is a cocktail of protectionist policies, steep operational costs, and political inertia. For decades, many African governments have shielded their national carriers through restrictive bilateral air service agreements, limiting competition and keeping fares artificially high. This practice directly contradicts the spirit of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision, which was meant to liberalize the continent's skies.

Furthermore, airlines operating in Africa face a uniquely challenging environment. Jet fuel can be up to 40% more expensive than the global average, and a myriad of taxes, fees, and charges inflate operational costs. Willie Walsh, IATA's Director-General, noted that while the demand for air travel in Africa is strong, what's missing is a more enabling environment.

The Promise of Open Skies

The solution has been on the table for years: the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Launched by the African Union in 2018, SAATM aims to create a single, unified air transport market. Proponents argue its full adoption would lead to more direct flights, better connectivity, and lower fares, creating jobs and boosting GDP.

However, progress has been painfully slow. While 38 of 55 nations have joined the initiative as of March 2025, implementation remains inconsistent, hampered by a lack of political will and the persistence of non-compliant air service agreements.

For Kenya, whose own low-cost carrier Jambojet has found success by focusing on underserved domestic routes, the potential is enormous. A truly open African sky would unlock new markets for its agricultural exports, tourism sector, and burgeoning tech scene. The dream of a borderless, integrated Africa, as envisioned by Agenda 2063, will only take flight when its people and businesses can afford to cross its skies.