Afraa launches free route airspace
The African Airlines Association (Afraa) has achieved a significant milestone with the full operational deployment of free route airspace in Western and Central Africa. Following successful trials since November 2023, this initiative enables airlines to plan and fly direct user preferred routes, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of air travel across the continent.
Free route airspace allows for greater flexibility in choosing fuel-efficient flight paths, resulting in reduced flight times, lower fuel consumption and diminished carbon emissions. Supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), this collaborative effort between air operators and air navigation service providers is set to boost competitiveness in the airline industry. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus will shift to implementing similar free route airspace initiatives in eastern and southern Africa to foster greater connectivity across the continent.