The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has celebrated the full operational deployment of the Free Route Airspace (FRA) concept across the continent’s Western and Central African (WACAF) region, which was effective from October 30. The development and deployment of FRA across WACAF involved close collaboration between airlines and the region’s Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and has been supported, from the very start of trials of the concept in 2023, by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The deployment of the FRA allows airlines to plan and fly more direct routes, known as User Preferred Routes (UPRs). These mean that airliners are not restricted to fixed routes, as before, but can now fly along the most fuel-efficient and time-saving routes. It also gives pilots greater flexibility to respond to changing weather conditions and to winds.

The result is lower fuel burn, fewer carbon emissions and shorter flight times. The adoption of UPRs in WACAF is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 5 000 t, save some $15-million in fuel costs, and cut CO₂ emissions by 16 000 t.   

“The implementation of [FRA] in the WACAF region is a game-changer for African aviation,” enthused AFRAA secretary-general Abdérahmane Berthé. “This is a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration. By cutting flight times and fuel consumption, we are not only boosting the competitiveness and profitability of our airlines but also making a significant commitment to environmental sustainability. We extend our profound gratitude to Afreximbank and all stakeholders who have journeyed with us for their unwavering commitment to this vision: the Western and Central African [ANSPs] Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation Aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Régie des Voies Aériennes, Roberts Flight Information Region, the International Air Transport Association, the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation.”

Six leading African airliners have already been granted approval for UPRs. They were ASKY Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and RwandAir. Between them, their UPRs now connect 30 major city pairs. The WACAF ANSPs have committed themselves to approving newly requested UPRs, from any carrier operating in the region, within 48 hours. Moreover, this process will be further streamlined, and once the necessary administrative measures have been completed by all 24 WACAF States, approvals will not be needed for new UPR requests. It is expected that this will be the case from the middle of next year.

“Efficient, safe and well-regulated air services are critical to facilitating intra-African trade, tourism and connectivity in line with the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area,” stressed Afreximbank executive VP intra-African trade and export development Kanayo Awani. “Afreximbank is fully committed to supporting the full implementation of SAATM and the establishment of an effective and efficient aviation industry through a range of financing instruments, including its aircraft leasing platform as well as trade facilitation interventions.”