The future of African aviation looks promising with the likely emergence of pan-African airlines with global market reach, major improvements in safety and accelerated growth rates in passenger and cargo traffic.
This optimistic view emerged during a panel discussion on “unlocking Africa’s potential” during the recent IATA AGM, hosted at the Cape Town ICC from June 2-4.  African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary-General and CEO, Elijah Chingosho, foresaw full liberalisation of African skies in the next decade. This would facilitate route development and cross-investment by airlines and countries and facilitate the growth of large carriers such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, SAA and Royal Air Maroc into truly global players with fleets numbering 100 aircraft. 
Brussels Airlines CEO, Bernard Guston, predicted the industry would be divided between pan-African carriers that would partner with major international airlines; and small niche operators – all operating under IATA’s safety standards, which meant the EU’s blacklist would be a thing of the past.
Etihad Airways President and CEO, James Hogan, said the time for national flag carriers had passed. He said the continent could bloom if governments came together to tackle liberalisation, infrastructure development and safety solutions. “Airlines must be run commercially with clear mandates. It’s not about being a flag carrier, but about having a smart plan to connect.”
Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO, Titus Naikuni, foresaw major improvements in safety and the coming to fruition of infrastructure investment. He also predicted circumstances would force major African airlines to collaborate in future.
Africa’s above world-average economic growth rate was forecast to continue for the next five years, meaning more Africans could afford to fly in future, said Nigeria’s Federal Airports Authority MD and CEO, George Uriesi. In particular, economic development in Mozambique, Angola, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria would boost demand. Air transport would continue to be the only fast and reliable alternative to slow and expensive road and rail infrastructure development. He also foresaw a new era of “proper entrepreneurs who will come together to form airlines”.