African Airlines Focus on Safety, Connectivity in 2026-2030 Strategy

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) convened in Cairo with CEOs from its 45 member carriers to outline their strategic priorities for the next five years, targeting 2026-2030. AFRAA’s Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthe, shared insights during the Aviation Week Window Seat podcast ahead of the association’s annual general assembly on November 17-19.

Safety as Top Priority
Safety remains AFRAA’s primary concern, driven by eight runway excursions across Africa between January and May 2024, often caused by unstabilized approaches, poor weather, and crosswinds. To address this, AFRAA hosted a safety and operations summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, earlier this year. The summit, which will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2025, focuses on best practices, enhanced simulator training, and establishing runway safety teams.

Intra-African Connectivity and Route Development
Improving connectivity within Africa is another key focus. Despite long-standing discussions, African airlines still lack sufficient collaboration to enhance intra-continental routes. AFRAA’s “route intelligence portal,” first launched in 2022, is set for an upgrade during the Cairo meeting. The platform helps airlines analyze existing networks, identify potential new routes, and explore interline and codeshare opportunities.

Berthe emphasized the portal’s importance for fostering network development, saying, “The objective is to allow airlines to evaluate their networks and potential markets, enabling cooperation and connectivity improvements.”

As AFRAA sets the stage for 2026-2030, safety enhancements and robust network expansion will shape the future of African aviation.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationweek.com