Africa’s air travel is reliant on distant hubs: why it’s time to fix this

When conflict erupted in the Middle East in 2026, the consequences were felt far beyond the region.

One was the disruption to Gulf airspace .

The ripple effects hit the global aviation network, including Africa.

Airlines have been forced to reroute flights and there’s been a spike in operating costs, delayed cargo and disrupted passenger travel.

For Africa, the crisis has exposed a weakness that has existed for decades: dependence on external transit hubs for international and even intra-African connectivity.

For many African travellers, reaching another African destination often requires going through Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul, or Europe.

The recent disruptions show the risks of relying too heavily on infrastructure beyond the continent’s control.

Direct intra-African connectivity would improve efficiency and the resilience of the continent’s aviation system.

Africa’s external aviation dependence has historical roots.

Colonial air networks were designed to connect African territories with European capitals rather than with one another.

After independence, states established national flag carriers.

But commercial agreements and international routes remained oriented towards former colonial powers .

My work as an aviation law researcher examines African air transport liberalisation, regional integration and the legal frameworks governing how airlines access markets.

My research has highlighted a persistent contradiction: Africa has enormous aviation potential, yet fragmented markets and weak intra-African connectivity.