Africa Weekly Aviation Trails: Week 50, 2025.

Introduction.

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has achieved a major milestone with the rollout of Free Route Airspace (FRA) in the West and Central Africa (WACAF) region, fully operational as of October 30, 2025. Following successful trials that began in November 2023, FRA allows airlines to move beyond fixed flight paths and select routes based on factors like weather, wind patterns, and fuel efficiency. By offering User Preferred Routes (UPRs), the system enables shorter, more efficient flights, resulting in reduced fuel consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, and significant cost savings. Early adopters—including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, EGYPTAIR, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir Ltd, and ASKY AIRLINES —have already connected 30 city pairs, saving over 1,393 flight hours, 5,000 metric tonnes of fuel, 16,000 metric tonnes of CO₂, and an estimated USD 15 million annually. The FRA initiative is a collaborative effort between airlines, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), regional aviation authorities, and Afreximbank, which has supported financing since the trial phase.

AOCs/ASLs/Regulations/Certifications.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a major air transport reform aimed at significantly lowering the cost of flying within West Africa, with tax-free air travel and a 25 percent reduction in passenger and security charges set to take effect from 1 January 2026. The decision, formally adopted by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at the December 2024 Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, was reaffirmed in a statement issued on 10 December 2025 and responds to long-standing complaints from travellers, airlines, and industry stakeholders over the region’s high airfares. ECOWAS noted that multiple taxes, levies, and charges imposed by governments and aviation authorities have historically driven up ticket prices, in some cases making short-haul regional flights more expensive than long-haul intercontinental travel. By abolishing air transport taxes and cutting passenger and security charges, the bloc aims to stimulate tourism, trade, and the free movement of people and goods, while strengthening regional airlines and enhancing connectivity. Implementation will be closely monitored by the ECOWAS Commission through a Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism to ensure compliance by member states and to guarantee that cost savings are effectively passed on to passengers, supporting deeper regional integration and increased passenger traffic across the subregion.

Nigeria’s private aviation market continues its rapid expansion as MCM Jets Limited and Blue Dolphin Aviation Limited have been granted Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), allowing them to operate charter and corporate flights across the country. The approvals come just days after the certification of Heliconia Group–EANAero, reflecting the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) accelerated licensing efforts to support growing demand for non-scheduled air services. The move strengthens Nigeria’s private aviation landscape, providing more options for corporate, leisure, and specialised air transport while underscoring the regulator’s commitment to safety and operational standards.