Addis ababa: A leading Kenyan aviation expert has called for sweeping reforms across Africa's travel and aviation sectors, arguing that visa-free access and open skies are essential to unlocking the continent's vast tourism potential.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, speaking on the sidelines of the IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Charles Gakuu emphasized the urgent need for stronger regional air connectivity and policy alignment among African nations.
Gakuu, Managing Director of the Air Travel and Related Studies Centre in Nairobi, pointed to recent improvements in regional air links, highlighting the growing network of Ethiopian Airlines as a model for the continent. He expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to fly directly from Mombasa to Addis on Ethiopian Airlines, a connection that was previously unavailable.
He praised the airline's expanding global reach, noting its connections across multiple continents. Gakuu commended Ethiopian Airlines for its efforts to increase international connectivity, identifying routes such as Addis-Sao Paulo, Addis-Chicago, and Addis-Washington as significant achievements.
Despite these gains, Gakuu stressed that broader structural reforms are needed to fully realize Africa's aviation and tourism potential. He advocated for a visa-free continent, citing integration models like the European Union and the Schengen Area as examples worth emulating.
He added that liberalizing airspace across the continent is equally critical. Reflecting on his first visit to Addis Ababa in the early 1990s, Gakuu noted the city's dramatic transformation over the past three decades, including developments in infrastructure and transportation.
He also commended Ethiopian Airlines for extending its influence beyond aviation into hospitality, citing investments in high-quality accommodation for transit passengers. Gakuu highlighted Ethiopia's visa-free access for Kenyan travelers as a positive example of regional cooperation.
Describing his arrival experience, he noted the ease of entry into Ethiopia and praised the hospitality of the Ethiopian people. He concluded with optimism about Ethiopia's future in tourism and aviation, particularly highlighting the growth in the hospitality sector and infrastructure development.