Israel-Africa Air Routes: Overview and Recommendations
November 2024
By Simon Seroussi, Daniel Saka Mbumba, and Dr. Anne-Sophie Sebban-Bécache
Executive Summary
In this short policy paper, Simon Seroussi, Daniel Saka Mbumba, and Dr. Anne-Sophie Sebban-Bécache explore the strategic importance of air routes between Israel and Africa, highlighting the historical, economic, and geopolitical factors influencing these connections.
They emphasize the role of aviation in projecting power, enhancing globalization, and fostering diplomatic relations.In addition, the paper explores the different considerations for opening a new air route: market demand, competitive positioning, and operational feasibility. The authors then review the obstacles Israel and Africa face in developing air connectivity:The paper details the various air routes between Israel and African countries, including Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Morocco, Ethiopia, and South Africa. However, many routes have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts.
- Economic Viability: The primary challenge in establishing direct routes is their limited economic viability. Low demand and high operational costs make many routes unsustainable.
- Overflight Restrictions: The inability to fly over certain countries’ airspace significantly impacts the feasibility of direct flights between Israel and Africa.
- Security Measures: Israel’s stringent security requirements, while ensuring safety, add to the operational costs and complexity of establishing new routes.
Conclusions & Recommendations:
- Boost Demand: Developing tourism, particularly Christian pilgrimage routes, and promoting African destinations to Israeli travelers can increase demand.
- Cooperate with Other Airlines: Partnering with airlines that have extensive networks in Africa, such as Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Air Maroc, can enhance connectivity without the need for new routes.
- Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with African nations can create a more favorable environment for the development of air routes.
Conclusion
The expansion of direct air links between Israel and Africa is currently constrained by the scope of economic, diplomatic, and cultural exchanges between Israel and most African nations. The limited level of relations affects passenger demand, which in turn influences airlines' decisions to open new routes connecting Israel to African destinations.
You can download the full paper below.
For the Hebrew version click HERE.
