Africa Weekly Aviation Trails: Week 27, 2025.

Introduction.

From June 25–27, 2025, the African Union and African Civil Aviation Commission AFCAC held the inaugural meeting of the SAATM Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) Administrative Council in Dakar, Senegal marking a major milestone in operationalizing Africa’s air liberalization framework. Though established in 2022, this was the DSM’s first formal session, aimed at ensuring fair and transparent resolution of disputes that hinder SAATM implementation. Dr Koussai Mrabet was elected President of the Council. The DSM will help address regulatory conflicts, enhance trust among stakeholders, and support seamless air connectivity across Africa—strengthening the continent’s push toward a unified, competitive, and integrated aviation market.

Kenya has joined a coalition of eight countries—including France, Spain, Barbados, and several African and Caribbean nations—to advocate for taxing luxury air travel, such as business class and private jets, as a way to fund climate adaptation in vulnerable countries. Announced during a United Nations development conference in Seville, Spain, on June 30, 2025, the initiative aims to channel revenues from these “solidarity levies” into climate resilience and fair transition projects in developing nations. Kenya, which has previously championed such levies, supports this effort to ensure wealthier polluters contribute more to global climate solutions.

AOCs/ASLs/Regulations.

Guinea is preparing to launch a new sub-regional airline named flyGuinea, with operations expected to commence in early 2026. The announcement was made in a statement released on July 3, 2025, confirming that FlyWestaf LLC Consulting has successfully completed the project management phase of the airline’s development. This initiative is part of Guinea’s strategic efforts to strengthen air connectivity within the West African region, enhance regional trade, tourism, and integration, and reduce reliance on foreign carriers for intra-African travel. FlyGuinea is envisioned as a state-backed carrier, and the project is aligned with broader goals to improve transport infrastructure and regional mobility under ECOWAS and African Union frameworks.