Why Are Flights in Africa So Expensive?

 It’s baffling that a Business Class flight from Nairobi to Abidjan 🇨🇮 costs more than a flight to Atlanta 🇺🇸—especially considering that Abidjan is only about 6 hours away while Atlanta is on a whole different continent. Yet, this is the reality for many African travelers. So, what makes intra-African flights so expensive?

One major reason is poor airline connectivity. Most African countries don’t have direct flights between each other. You often have to connect through hubs like Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or even cities outside the continent—like Dubai or Paris—which adds costs, time, and inconvenience.

Another issue is the limited competition. Many African airlines operate on specific routes without much competition, which drives up prices. Unlike in the U.S. or Europe, where numerous budget carriers exist, Africa has fewer low-cost airlines.

High taxes and fees also play a big role. Airport charges, fuel levies, and government taxes on aviation are significantly higher in many African countries. These get passed down to passengers, making tickets costly—even for short distances.

Then there's the slow implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which is supposed to liberalize air travel across the continent. Without full participation and political will, airlines can’t freely access each other’s markets.

How can we realistically talk about AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)—a free trade dream—when we can’t even afford to fly to our neighboring countries? Connectivity should be the backbone of integration, yet it’s the biggest barrier.

For Africa to truly move forward, governments and airlines need to work together to reduce costs, open up skies, and make air travel accessible to all. Until then, flying within our own continent might continue to be more expensive—and frustrating—than flying across oceans