Intra-African Airfares 40–60% Higher Than Europe, Expert Laments

Dr Augusta Evans, Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing and Tourism at Royal Roads University, has raised concerns over the high cost of intra-African air travel, noting that fares are 40–60 per cent higher than comparable European routes, a barrier she says undermines “Destination Africa” branding.

Speaking at the African Travel Commission meeting in Lagos, themed Affordable Aviation as Strategic Enabler of African Tourism and Regional Development through the Lens of SAATM, Evans said the price gap is driven by protectionist taxes, Passenger Service Charges that often exceed $50–$100 per flight, additional levies, operational inefficiencies, and restrictive bilateral agreements.

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“Due to high prices, fewer people fly, leading to lower load factors. Airlines then raise fares to break even on under-filled planes, creating a vicious cycle,” she said, adding that jet fuel in Africa is 21–30 per cent more expensive than the global average because of inland transport costs and monopolies at some airports.

Evans highlighted that, unlike Europe’s “Open Skies” and the European Common Aviation Area, Africa’s fragmented air markets operate as isolated “islands,” forcing indirect routes that increase flight time and fuel costs, further inflating ticket prices. She noted that a one-hour Lagos–Accra flight can cost far more than a similar London–Paris route.

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She called for stronger regulatory alignment under the Single African Air Transport Market, greater passenger rights across borders, increased flight frequency, and policies that reduce fares to stimulate demand, arguing that lower prices can generate higher total revenue through increased traffic.

Evans stressed that implementing SAATM effectively requires moving beyond political commitments toward concrete regulatory action to enable affordable, efficient intra-African connectivity.