EAC-SG, Amb Stephen Mbundi.
BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
East African Community (EAC) partner states have been urged to adopt a common aviation tax regime to reduce the high cost of air travel, improve connectivity and support growth of regional airlines.
The call was among the key outcomes of a four-day Expert Policy Dialogue that concluded in Arusha recently that brought together aviation experts and representatives of regional and continental institutions.
The meeting was organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union Commission and the African Civil Aviation Commission, in collaboration with the EAC and the African Airlines Association.
The Arusha News spot check of fares on July 14, 2026, showed that a return economy class ticket from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi was being advertised from US$373, while a return journey from Dar es Salaam to Entebbe started at about US$426.
Although fares varied according to the airlines, booking date, travel period and seat availability, the figures showed that travellers had to spend hundreds of dollars to fly between neighbouring East African countries.
For businesses, civil society organisations and families, such costs can discourage travel, limit face-to-face meetings and undermine efforts to promote the free movement of people and goods within the region.
Participants at the Arusha dialogue developed a roadmap for harmonising aviation taxes, fees and charges across EAC partner states. They also validated a draft Multilateral Air Service Agreement, known as MASA, covering passenger, cargo and mail services and prepared a roadmap for its adoption.
The proposed agreement is intended to replace fragmented bilateral arrangements with a broader regional framework that would expand market access, encourage competition and make it easier for airlines to introduce new routes.
EAC Secretary General (SG), Amb Stephen Mbundi, said high taxes, aeronautical charges and user fees remained major obstacles to the growth of air transport in the region. He called on partner states to harmonise the charges to make flying more affordable, stimulate passenger demand and create opportunities for airlines to expand their regional operations.
Amb Mbundi said air transport liberalisation was no longer optional if East Africa wanted to improve the movement of people, goods, services and investment. An efficient, affordable and competitive aviation industry was essential for unlocking the region’s economic potential and positioning East Africa as a leading aviation and logistics hub, he added.
The meeting also drafted framework for liberalising Afarica’s air cargo market, proposals for reducing aviation taxes and charges and a roadmap for accelerating implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market.
Officials said improved air connectivity would support tourism, trade, investment, cargo services and employment while giving consumers more routes, greater competition and potentially lower fares.
However, the proposed reforms will not take effect immediately. The draft agreement and related frameworks must undergo legal review, stakeholder consultations and approval by the relevant EAC institutions and partner states.
The roadmap may also require ministerial approval and endorsement by heads of state before the common regional arrangements can be implemented.
