Kenya Airways has called for the consolidation of African airlines, emphasizing that such a move could significantly reduce the cost of air travel within the continent. Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka highlighted the potential financial benefits of merging national carriers, especially for African countries that struggle to maintain a profitable fleet size.
According to Mr Kilavuka, a fleet of at least 50 aircraft is necessary for commercial airlines to achieve sustainable profitability, a target many African carriers find difficult to reach. Already, the airline has partnered with other African airlines, a move that aimed at revolutionizing intra-continental travel and, in the process, delivering monumental savings and enhancing air travel accessibility across Africa.
By merging, African countries could create regional aviation hubs, streamline operations, and eliminate redundant costs. These savings could then be passed on to passengers, making air travel more affordable and accessible within Africa.
Kilavuka also pointed out that the slow progress in implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which was introduced in 2018 to liberalize air travel across the continent, has negatively impacted seat occupancy rates for national airlines. He believes that accelerating the adoption of this initiative would further enhance the viability of African carriers and increase the demand for air travel across the region.
