Why flying within Africa costs so much

A version of this article appeared on The Washington Post.

Air travel across the African continent remains notably expensive compared to other global regions, where market deregulation in the United States and Europe previously increased flight volumes and reduced ticket prices.

The distance between Dakar in Senegal and key regional hubs highlights how geographic proximity does not always translate to accessible or affordable air transport links.

High ticket costs across intra-African routes continue to challenge passengers, while regulatory frameworks and state protectionism limit market competition among regional carriers.

Protectionist policies enforced by individual nations often restrict foreign air operators from opening new routes, which keeps flight frequencies low and prices elevated.

While Western aviation markets benefited from open-skies agreements and regulatory rollbacks, similar policy reforms face ongoing hurdles across many African jurisdictions.

Infrastructure constraints at major airports further complicate route expansion, while operating costs for aviation fuel, airport charges, and technical maintenance remain high.

Regional transport authorities have discussed various frameworks to liberalize air transport markets, but implementation across sovereign airspaces stays fragmented.

As commercial demand for cross-border transport grows, the contrast between Western deregulated aviation markets and Africa's restricted air corridors continues to shape regional travel dynamics.