The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has marked a defining moment for the continent’s aviation sector with the full operational deployment of Free Route Airspace (FRA) across West and Central Africa (WACAF), effective 30 October 2025. The milestone follows a series of successful trials launched in November 2023, ushering in a new era of streamlined, efficient, and sustainable air travel for African carriers.

The implementation enables airlines to operate User Preferred Routes (UPRs), allowing more direct, fuel-efficient flight paths influenced by real-time conditions such as weather and wind. This flexibility is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance the passenger experience.

AFRAA acknowledged the essential support of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which has backed the FRA initiative from the outset under its Memorandum of Understanding with the association, and in alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Air Navigation Plan and the Africa-India FRA Planning and Implementation Regional Group.

The shift to a fully operational FRA is the result of extensive collaboration between airlines and regional air navigation service providers. A milestone workshop held in Dakar, Senegal earlier this year concluded the trial phase and confirmed readiness for full deployment.

AFRAA Secretary General Abdérahmane Berthé hailed the achievement as a “game-changer” for African aviation. “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,” he said, extending gratitude to Afreximbank and partners including ASECNA, GCAA, NAMA, RVA, Roberts FIR, IATA, ICAO and CANSO.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, emphasised the FRA’s alignment with broader continental goals. She noted that safe, efficient air transport is central to strengthening intra-African trade, tourism and connectivity in support of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Strong Early Gains for Participating Airlines

Six leading African carriers — Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, EGYPTAIR, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir and ASKY Airlines — were granted approval to operate UPRs across 30 key city pairs. The benefits are significant:
• 1,393 hours of cumulative flight time saved
• 5,000 metric tonnes less fuel burned
• 16,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided
• An estimated US$15 million annual reduction in fuel costs

WACAF Airspace Opens to All Airlines

As of 30 October 2025, any airline may plan and operate UPRs across the WACAF region. Air navigation service providers have committed to approving new route requests within 48 hours. From mid-2026, following administrative adjustments across 24 WACAF states, approvals for new UPRs will no longer be required.

Expanding the Vision: ESAF Region Next

With WACAF successfully deployed, attention now turns to Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) in 2026. Trials will be finalised with the aim of achieving a similar FRA implementation, supported by plans for a web-based coordination platform to streamline operations for both airlines and ANSPs.