East African legislators are advocating for the liberalization of the regional airspace to ensure seamless travel for delegates and spectators during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The legislators argue that unrestricted airspace is crucial for the success of the tournament, allowing fans to travel freely across the region to watch matches in different arenas.
The East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) is pushing for the passage of the Air Traffic Rights Bill 2026, which aims to liberalize air traffic rights and domesticate airspaces in the region. The bill seeks to reduce taxes imposed on travelers using regional airlines and airports, making air travel more accessible and affordable. EALA member Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo from Kenya presented the first draft of the motion, which has been sent back for revision to include expert inputs from all member states.
The East African Community (EAC) has a strategy to develop a more integrated regional air transport system, with a goal to achieve above-global-average scores in safety and security audits by 2030/31. The EAC's Seventh Development Strategy 2026/27–2030/31 outlines a coordinated approach to civil aviation development, including the establishment of a common airspace and single EAC air transport market. The strategy aims to deepen regional integration and support the implementation of the Common Market.
The proposed East African Community Domestication of Airspace and Liberalization of Air Traffic Rights Act 2026 defines the common airspace as an integrated and jointly managed airspace among EAC Partner States, managed as a single operational unit without internal boundaries. The Act applies to Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and any other country granted membership to the Community.
The objective of the Act is to enhance air transportation within the Community by domesticating the EAC airspace and liberalizing the granting of air traffic rights for passengers and cargo operations. The Act also aims to facilitate the coordination of flight schedules of Partner States' airlines. An airline is considered an EAC-registered carrier if it is registered and licensed by a Partner State and headquartered and maintains its primary operational base within the Community.
The EAC common airspace will have a unified Air Traffic Control system established with integrated command in one centre designated by each Partner State. An air operator that meets the requirements shall enjoy and may exercise throughout the common airspace, the first freedom up to the fifth freedom of the air as specified in the Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944 Chicago Convention.
The liberalization of airspace is expected to promote the availability of flexible and convenient travel within the Community. The Council shall facilitate and guide EAC-registered carriers operating within the common airspace to coordinate their flight schedules. A Partner State shall not impose or permit to be imposed on any EAC-registered carrier, licensed by another Partner State, user charges higher than those imposed on airlines operating within that Partner State.
Key points
- The East African Community aims to fully liberalize air transport by 2026/27 and establish a single EAC air transport market.
- The proposed Act seeks to domesticate the EAC airspace as a common airspace and liberalize the granting of air traffic rights for passengers and cargo operations.
- The liberalization of airspace is crucial for the success of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, allowing fans to travel freely across the region.
