By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, May 05, 2026 - A Kenyan aviation expert has called for sweeping reforms across Africa’s travel and aviation sectors, arguing that visa-free movement and liberalised airspace are critical to unlocking the continent’s vast tourism and economic potential.
Speaking on the sidelines of the IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Charles Gakuu, Managing Director of the Air Travel and Related Studies Centre in Nairobi, emphasised the need for stronger regional connectivity and policy alignment among African countries.
Gakuu pointed to recent improvements in air travel within the region, citing the expanding network of Ethiopian Airlines as a model for the continent. “We need to have open connectivity. I was very happy yesterday to catch a flight from Mombasa to Addis on Ethiopian Airlines. That was never there,” he said, highlighting how new routes are beginning to bridge long-standing connectivity gaps.
He praised the airline’s growing global footprint, noting its extensive network linking Africa to major international destinations. “I must commend Ethiopian Airlines, first of all, for the effort that they have made to spread the wings all over the world. I see Addis-Sao Paulo, I see Addis-Chicago, I see Addis-Washington, and so on. On the other side, Milan. It is very good. It's very good for air connectivity,” Gakuu added.
Despite these gains, he warned that infrastructure improvements alone are not enough, stressing that policy reforms must keep pace. “The first of all is to have a visa-free continent. It does not make sense that I require a visa to go to my neighbor,” he said, urging African nations to draw lessons from integration models such as the European Union’s Schengen Area.
He further underscored the importance of liberalising Africa’s airspace to boost competition and reduce travel costs. “The second thing that you need to do is, of course, to open up the skies,” he stated, noting that restrictive bilateral agreements continue to limit growth in the aviation sector.
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Reflecting on Ethiopia’s transformation, Gakuu described the country’s infrastructure growth over the past three decades as remarkable. “I'm very, very delighted to see that in 30 years you have an electric train, you have huge freeways, and the numbers have grown, populations have grown,” he said, recalling his first visit to Addis Ababa in the early 1990s.
He also commended Ethiopian Airlines for expanding beyond aviation into hospitality, noting its investment in accommodation facilities for transit passengers. “Ethiopian Airlines have taken lead in that, and not just with aviation, but also in proper quality five-star hotels where transit passengers can be able to have a rest. And that is revenue for the airline, and of course revenue for the country,” he said.
Gakuu highlighted Ethiopia’s visa-free access for Kenyan travellers as a positive example of regional cooperation. “I think it is only Kenyans and one more nationality that don't require a visa to get to Ethiopia. And we are very happy with that privilege,” he noted, describing his own seamless arrival experience. “When I came in, no questions asked. I just got my passport stamped, and in five minutes I was here.”
He further expressed optimism about Ethiopia’s tourism and aviation prospects, pointing to continued investments in infrastructure and hospitality. “I'm sure with the hospitality of the people, of the Ethiopians, there's no doubt that moving forward you're going to build also your tourism industry, Ethiopia’s aviation industry. It's good to see so many hotels coming up. I saw Radisson Blu Hotel Addis Ababa, and many more,” he said.
His remarks reinforce a growing consensus that while Africa has made progress in improving connectivity, deeper reforms, particularly around visa policies and airspace liberalization, will be key to unlocking the continent’s full tourism and trade potential.