AFRAA Launches Free Route Airspace in West and Central Africa
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has marked a major milestone in African aviation with the full operational rollout of Free Route Airspace (FRA) in the Western and Central Africa (WACAF) region, effective from 30 October 2025.
Following successful trials that began in November 2023, the FRA allows airlines to plan and fly User Preferred Routes (UPRs), enabling more direct, fuel-efficient, and flexible flight paths. Pilots can now adjust routes based on weather and wind conditions, reducing flight times, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions.
The initiative has been supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in line with its MoU with AFRAA, the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Global Air Navigation Plan, and the Africa-India FRA Planning and Implementation Regional Group. Full deployment was achieved through collaboration between air operators and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) during a joint workshop in Dakar, Senegal.
Mr Abdérahmane Berthé, AFRAA Secretary General, hailed the achievement as a “game-changer for African aviation,” highlighting the benefits of reduced flight times and fuel consumption, enhanced airline competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. He expressed gratitude to Afreximbank, ASECNA, GCAA, NAMA, RVA, Roberts FIR, IATA, ICAO, CANSO, and other stakeholders for their support.
Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President at Afreximbank, added: “Efficient, safe, and well-regulated air services are critical for intra-African trade, tourism, and connectivity. Afreximbank is committed to supporting the full implementation of SAATM and fostering an effective, integrated aviation industry through financing and trade facilitation initiatives.”
Six leading African airlines – Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, EGYPTAIR, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, and ASKY Airlines – have already been granted UPRs connecting 30 key city pairs. The switch to UPRs is expected to save over 1,393 flight hours annually, reduce fuel consumption by 5,000 tonnes, cut CO₂ emissions by 16,000 tonnes, and lower fuel costs by approximately US$15 million.
From 30 October 2025, WACAF airspace is open to all airlines wishing to operate free routes, with ANSPs committing to approve new UPR requests within 48 hours. By mid-2026, administrative procedures across 24 WACAF States will further streamline approvals, removing the need for prior authorisation.
Looking ahead, AFRAA will focus on Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) in 2026 to conclude FRA trials and achieve similar implementation, alongside developing a web-based coordination platform to enhance operations for airlines and air navigation service providers across the continent.
