The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised serious concerns over the state of aviation safety in Africa, revealing that 46 out of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have not yet met global aviation safety standards. This was disclosed in a report released on Wednesday, calling on African governments to act fast to improve compliance and protect passengers.
According to IATA, the continent’s effective implementation rate of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s Standards and Recommended Practices, known as SARPS, currently stands at 59.49 percent. This figure is lower than the global average of 69.16 percent, and far from the 75 percent global target. IATA described the situation as worrisome, and said the continent must do more to close the gap.
The aviation body said although there has been some level of improvement in safety over the years, more still needs to be done to bring African aviation closer to global standards. The organisation noted that some African countries have taken steps to improve their airspace, but the pace of reform and implementation remains too slow to ensure full safety for passengers and crew.
In 2024 alone, IATA reported that the most common accidents recorded in the African aviation sector were runway excursions — when aircraft overshoot or veer off the runway. Out of 10 total accidents on the continent this year, runway incidents accounted for the majority. The association urged for the immediate deployment of ICAO’s Runway Safety Team to airports across the region to help address the problem. They also advised African countries to strengthen enforcement of SARPS to avoid future accidents.
Another concern raised by IATA is the slow pace of publishing air accident investigation reports across the continent. Between 2018 and 2023, 42 air accidents were recorded in Africa, but only eight final reports have been released to the public. This means that about 80 percent of accident cases are still pending official reporting, a situation IATA described as unacceptable.
The association reminded governments of their responsibility under ICAO Annex 13, which makes it mandatory for countries to conduct timely and transparent investigations and publish their findings. They said failure to do so weakens public confidence in the aviation system and denies the industry the opportunity to learn from past mistakes.
IATA also promoted its own safety tools, including the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA). The body said these tools can support airlines in achieving higher safety standards and better oversight.
Apart from safety concerns, IATA drew attention to the high taxes and charges imposed on aviation operations across Africa. The organisation stated that taxes in the African aviation industry are about 15 percent higher than the global average. It argued that this is contributing to a reduction in travel demand and making it difficult for airlines to operate profitably.
“Governments must understand that aviation plays a big role in growing the economy. It helps trade, tourism, and employment. But when taxes are too high, it affects everyone negatively, including the country itself,” IATA said in the report.
A major highlight of the report was the issue of blocked funds. According to IATA, African governments are currently holding back over $1 billion in airline revenues that should have been repatriated to foreign airlines. This amount, which represents about 73 percent of all blocked funds worldwide, is affecting airlines’ operations on the continent.
The report stated that the funds are stuck in 26 African countries. Because of this, many international airlines have either reduced their flight frequencies or completely withdrawn from some African routes. IATA warned that if this continues, it could further weaken Africa’s international connectivity and violate existing international treaties and bilateral agreements between countries.
The report has drawn attention from various stakeholders in the aviation industry, with calls for governments to urgently resolve these issues. Industry observers say the situation demands serious policy intervention from the African Union, regional aviation bodies, and national regulators. They noted that the aviation sector is a major driver of development, and its neglect could have long-term consequences on the economy.
IATA’s latest findings serve as a wake-up call for African governments to improve the safety and financial health of their aviation sectors. The global aviation community is watching closely, as Africa tries to find lasting solutions to these problems and reposition its aviation industry for sustainable growth.
