The advantages of enabling direct flights between African nations are critical for the continent’s development, given its diverse nationalities and expansive geography.
By offering direct flights, passengers can save money on connecting flights and avoid lengthy layovers.
Additionally, direct flights can lead to more flexible visa policies, increased travel opportunities for business, tourism, and family visits, and ultimately, stronger connections between countries.
AFRAA’s effort to improve direct flights
According to the African Airlines Association’s (AFRAA) Air Transport Report for 2024, improving intra-African connectivity is one of its top priorities.
To make this work, the body has announced plans to initiate efforts which include harmonization of flight schedules, increased intra-Africa flight frequency, and development of virtual alliances through commercial agreements.
Direct flights also play a significant role in enhancing visa openness across Africa by fostering ease of travel, economic collaboration, and diplomatic relations among nations.
This is because countries linked by direct flights are more likely to align their visa policies to encourage cross-border collaboration, tourism, and investment.
According to the AFRAA data, the African countries listed below have the most direct flights with other African countries.
| Rank | Country | Direct flights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Ethiopia |
38 |
|
2 |
Morocco |
26 |
|
3 |
South Africa |
26 |
|
4 |
Kenya |
24 |
|
5 |
Cote D’Ivoire |
24 |
|
6 |
Nigeria |
22 |
|
7 |
Egypt |
21 |
|
8 |
Togo |
19 |
|
9 |
Cameroon |
17 |
|
10 |
Senegal |
17 |
Ethiopia leads with 38 direct flights to other countries within Africa while Morocco and South Africa follow closely with 26 direct flights.
According to the AFRAA report, seven countries out of 54 countries in Africa have direct flights to more than 20 African countries, an increase compared to the first quarter of 2023 where just four countries had direct flights to other countries.
