At the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, identified significant hurdles preventing the continent’s aviation sector from thriving. He specifically cited Nigeria and Afghanistan as among the most challenging environments for sustaining airline operations due to exorbitant costs.
Al-Awadhi emphasized that African nations must prioritize the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). He argued that states must move beyond merely signing bilateral agreements and begin honoring them to foster regional connectivity before seeking external partnerships.
Regarding rising fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions, he suggested that African nations should bolster their fuel storage capabilities to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions. While noting that Africa saw a significant safety improvement in 2025, he cautioned that the accident rate remains at 7.86 per million flights, which is notably higher than the global average.
Profitability remains the primary financial challenge for regional carriers. High operating costs—ranging from expensive aircraft leases and maintenance to excessive taxes and infrastructure fees—leave thin profit margins vulnerable to any daily operational setback. Al-Awadhi highlighted the case of Tanzania, which imposed an API/PNR charge of $45 per way, a figure starkly higher than the international standard of approximately $1.60.
Al-Awadhi concluded that a major roadblock is the lack of policy alignment between ministries. While transport departments often recognize the economic benefits of aviation, finance ministries frequently implement regulations that stifle industry growth. He urged governments to recognize the vital role aviation plays in national economies and to reduce the punitive levies that hinder progress.