Africa Aviation Trails: Week 18, 2026

Introduction.

Sudan has reportedly lost more than $1 billion in aviation revenue over the past three years due to prolonged full and partial closures of its airspace amid the ongoing civil conflict, according to a former Civil Aviation Authority official. Estimates indicate that overflight fees alone accounted for potential monthly losses ranging between $12 million and $35 million, translating to cumulative losses of approximately $432 million to $1.26 billion. The recent reopening of Sudan’s airspace for international traffic at Khartoum International Airport is expected to support the gradual restoration of aviation operations and improve air transport efficiency, with domestic flights between Port Sudan and Khartoum already resuming. Analysts argue that the closure was excessively prolonged, noting that international aviation standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) generally encourage phased operations and risk-based management in conflict zones rather than complete shutdowns. The lost revenues could have significantly contributed to airport rehabilitation, navigation system modernization, and workforce development, but were instead overshadowed by continued disruptions stemming from the civil war that erupted in 2023, including repeated drone attacks and infrastructure damage linked to the conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Conferences & Events

South African Civil Aviation Authority hosted the SACAA National Aviation Conference 2026, bringing together regulators, airlines, airports, aviation training institutions, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the future of aviation safety, innovation, sustainability, and sector development across South Africa and the wider African aviation landscape. The conference focused on key priorities including digital transformation, sustainable aviation, workforce development, regulatory oversight, and operational resilience. South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, underscored the importance of strengthening aviation safety culture, regulatory compliance, and innovation as the sector continues its post-pandemic recovery and modernization trajectory. The event also highlighted South Africa’s strong aviation safety oversight performance, following a recent preliminary International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit score of 95.12%, positioning the country among the leading global aviation regulators. Strategically, the conference reinforced SACAA’s growing role in shaping aviation policy dialogue and fostering regulatory collaboration across Africa as the industry adapts to evolving technological, environmental, and operational challenges.

A continental aviation regulatory workshop was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 6–8 May 2026, organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in partnership with the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law and supported by international aviation stakeholders, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The high-level gathering brought together aviation regulators, legal experts, and representatives from regional economic communities across Africa to strengthen aviation competition frameworks under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative, which is anchored in the Yamoussoukro Decision. Key highlights of the workshop included technical sessions on drafting and harmonising competition regulations, addressing enforcement challenges in liberalised airspace, and conducting practical exercises aimed at aligning national legal frameworks with continental standards. Participants also examined international best practices from regions such as the European Union, ASEAN, and the United States to enhance regulatory oversight and fair competition within Africa’s increasingly liberalised aviation market.