If it flies, tax it: The growing costs of aviation in Africa

A single daily flight between Yaoundé and Addis Ababa can generate over $43 million annually for an airline, yet still result in losses due to difficulties in repatriating funds. As of the end of March 2026, African countries accounted for the largest share of global blocked airline funds, with $774 million, or 80% of the $970 million blocked worldwide. Kamil Alawadhi, IATA's regional vice president, emphasized that high operating costs and excessive taxes are choking the continent's aviation growth.