748 Air Services Pushes Open Skies Agenda to Unlock Cheaper Flights Across Africa

By Milton Were African governments have been challenged to fully embrace open-skies policies and remove barriers restricting airlines from expanding across the continent, with 748 Air Services arguing that greater competition and easier market access could help bring down the cost of air travel. The Kenyan airline says deeper liberalisation of Africa's aviation sector could create more routes, increase competition between carriers and give passengers greater choice while supporting trade, tourism and investment across the continent. The call emerged during the Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Nairobi , where industry players discussed the future of African aviation under the theme “Breaking the Mould.” The discussions focused on connectivity, market access and the high cost of flying between African destinations. Moses Mwangi MD, 748 Air services with DOTAS Aviation CEO Roman Wild and COO Monika Wild at Aviation Africa 2026 High Cost of Flying Remains a Major Barrier 748 Air Services Managing Director Moses Mwangi said Africa has enormous aviation potential but continues to be held back by restrictions and high operating costs. “Africa has enormous aviation potential, but unlocking it requires us to look differently at how our markets are connected. Greater openness can create room for more routes, stronger competition and ultimately greater choice for passengers,” Mwangi said. Despite Africa's huge population and growing demand for business, tourism and leisure travel, its aviation market remains underdeveloped. Airlines operating on the continent must contend with airport charges, infrastructure limitations, regulatory requirements and other costs that can ultimately be passed on to passengers through higher ticket prices. Mwangi argued that cheaper flights cannot be achieved by airlines alone, saying governments, regulators and airports must also address the broader cost of operating aircraft and opening new routes. “Affordable air travel is a function of the entire aviation ecosystem. Competitive airport charges, efficient infrastructure, predictable regulation and policies that encourage connectivity all have a role to play. When the cost of operating a route is high, ultimately that cost finds its way into the ticket price,” he said. Why Do Africans Still Have to Fly Outside Africa to Reach Africa? One of the biggest problems confronting the continent is the lack of convenient direct connections between African cities. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi , who addressed delegates at the summit, noted that some journeys between neighbouring African countries still require passengers to transit through destinations outside the continent. Such journeys increase both travel time and costs while undermining regional trade and economic integration. Mudavadi reiterated Kenya's commitment to implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and called for harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards, stronger safety oversight, greater infrastructure investment and open skies. The initiative seeks to create a more liberalised African aviation market where participating airlines can gain greater access to routes across member states. Open Skies Could Trigger Greater Airline Competition 748 Air Services believes greater implementation of SAATM could fundamentally change the economics of flying in Africa by allowing airlines easier access to new markets and enabling networks to develop according to passenger demand. More airlines competing for passengers on viable routes could potentially provide travellers with greater choice while strengthening links between African economies. “Africa cannot have a truly integrated economy if it remains difficult or expensive to fly from one African city to another. Trade, tourism and investment all depend on connectivity. Aviation therefore has an important role to play in Africa's wider economic integration,” Mwangi said. The benefits could extend far beyond tourists and frequent flyers. SMEs, cross-border traders, manufacturers and professionals all depend on efficient movement between countries, meaning improved aviation connectivity could have broader economic consequences. Africa's growing middle class, expanding tourism industry, rising intra-African trade and increased business activity also provide airlines with an increasingly attractive passenger market. Technology and Sustainability Also Take Centre Stage Beyond open skies, the Nairobi summit provided airlines and aviation companies with an opportunity to examine new technologies aimed at making aircraft operations more efficient. 748 Air Services held discussions with industry partners including DOTAS Aviation , which recently supported the carrier's sustainability efforts through the installation of LED cabin lighting on its aircraft. The companies discussed how emerging aviation technologies could improve energy efficiency, sustainability and passengers' cabin experience. 748 said its participation also provided an opportunity to strengthen industry relationships and engage with innovations shaping aviation's future. Africa Has the Passengers — Now It Needs the Connections For 748 Air Services, the fundamental argument is that demand already exists. What remains necessary is an environment allowing airlines to compete, establish routes and connect African cities more efficiently. “This is an important moment for African aviation. The demand and economic opportunity are there. What is needed is an enabling environment that allows the industry to grow, compete and connect more Africans,” Mwangi said. For Kenyan passengers, the open-skies debate ultimately comes down to something much simpler: more direct routes, greater competition and potentially cheaper tickets. 748 Air Services currently operates domestic scheduled passenger services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Terminal 2 to Mombasa and Ukunda (Diani) through its fly748 service.