Budget airlines changing Africa’s skies

Not too long ago, getting from one city to another often meant a connection in Europe. That is finally changing, as low-cost airlines are taking off across the region, serving routes that cater to the continent’s growing middle class.
It has not been easy for them.  African nations signed an “open skies” agreement in 1988, similar to the one in Europe that cleared the way for successes such as easyJet. Most countries have yet to implement the agreement but, as the number of potential travellers grows, the new, low-cost airlines are slowly convincing governments of the benefits of increased air travel. “There are more than one billion people on the African continent, which is home to just 3% of the world’s aviation business,” says Ed Winter, CEO of Tanzania-based fastjet. “It is clear that the continent remains in desperate need of improved and affordable aviation connectivity.” Here are 10 airlines already pushing Africa’s travel revolution:

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