Protectionism, Taxes, Fuel: The High Cost Of Air Travel In Africa

Restricted traffic rights granted by African governments to airlines limit the number of direct routes and the frequency of flights (Credit: AFP)

Travelling 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) by air between two capitals on the same continent does not seem like a challenge. But it can be one in Africa.

Take Libreville and Bangui for instance. The journey takes a minimum of nine hours, requires passengers to change planes and shell out $1,000 -- an example of the challenges facing Africa's aviation sector because of high taxes and protectionist policies.