The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) reported new economic and connectivity milestones for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) on June 16, 2026, projecting the initiative will contribute more than $75 billion to the continent’s gross domestic product.

The data, released during the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo, outlines the operational progress of the African Union’s flagship aviation liberalization program. According to the AFCAC press release, the unified market framework now supports 8.1 million jobs across the region.

Expanding the unified market

Since its formal launch in January 2018, SAATM has grown to include 38 member states. Of those nations, 26 have signed the Memorandum of Implementation, and 21 are actively participating in the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project.

This regulatory alignment has yielded a current connectivity rate of 23 percent across the continent. The framework currently highlights 124 specific routes and tracks the participation of 113 African Airlines. These combined operations have facilitated the movement of more than 3 million passengers under the liberalized market conditions.

Economic drivers and political commitments

The liberalization of African airspace is closely tied to broader economic and travel targets. Alongside the $75 billion gross domestic product contribution and 8.1 million supported jobs, the initiative recorded 81 million tourism-related travelers in 2025.

AFCAC Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi highlighted the broader implications of the program.

“SAATM is not only transforming air connectivity, it is redefining how Africa moves, trades and grows together as one aviation market,” Adeyemi stated in the release.

To sustain this momentum, industry leaders and regulators are convening at the African Air Transport Convention and Expo from June 15 to June 19, 2026. The Lomé event is expected to produce a Ministerial Declaration designed to formalize further political commitments for accelerated implementation.

Technical oversight and compliance

The June milestones follow technical capacity-building efforts earlier in the year. In February 2026, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and AFCAC concluded a workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. That session focused on strengthening Key Performance Indicator audits and digitizing the monitoring systems required to enforce the Yamoussoukro Decision, the foundational 1999 treaty that paved the way for SAATM.

AirPro News analysis

We view the transition from the 38 signatory states to the 21 active participants in the Pilot Implementation Project as the most critical metric for SAATM’s success. For decades, the Yamoussoukro Decision suffered from a lack of enforcement and protectionist aviation policies by individual nations. The current tracking of 124 specific routes and 113 airlines indicates a shift from theoretical treaties to operational reality. If the Lomé Ministerial Declaration can secure binding commitments to remove remaining bilateral restrictions, the projected economic benefits will likely materialize at an accelerated pace.

Sources: African Civil Aviation Commission

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited delivered the first of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to Airlines (ET) on June 18, 2026, initiating a fleet expansion aimed at connecting remote and underserved regions across East Africa.

The delivery, announced in a press release by the Manufacturers, follows a purchase agreement signed during the Paris Air Show on June 17, 2025. The new aircraft will allow the carrier to access airstrips unsuitable for larger regional aircraft, supporting tourism, economic development, and essential air services.

Expanding domestic connectivity

Ethiopian Airlines currently serves 22 domestic destinations using its fleet of De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft. According to reporting by Aviation Week, the introduction of the Twin Otter Classic 300-G will enable the airline to increase its domestic network to 26 destinations.

The short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities of the Twin Otter allow it to operate in challenging environments and on unpaved runways. The airline plans to deploy the newly delivered aircraft, registered as C-FHYC, to new airports including Debre Markos, Negele Boran, and Gore.

“The Delivery of our first Twin Otter Classic 300-G is an important milestone in our regional growth strategy. This aircraft will enable us to better serve remote areas while supporting tourism, economic development, and essential air services throughout the region,” stated Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines.

Aircraft specifications and delivery timeline

The Classic 300-G is the latest iteration of the DHC-6 Twin Otter platform. De Havilland Canada designed the updated model with a lighter airframe to increase payload capacity and improve fuel efficiency. The flight deck features a modern Garmin G1000 integrated Avionics suite, while the cabin includes new lightweight seats and enhanced electrical systems.

The aircraft can be configured for multiple mission profiles, including passenger transport, Cargo-Aircraft operations, humanitarian aid, and medical evacuation. The second Twin Otter Classic 300-G ordered by Ethiopian Airlines is scheduled for delivery in late 2026.

“The Twin Otter’s proven reliability, versatility, and ability to operate in challenging environments make it well suited to the diverse missions Ethiopian Airlines will undertake across the region,” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for De Havilland Canada.

AirPro News analysis

We view Ethiopian Airlines’ acquisition of the Twin Otter Classic 300-G as a pragmatic approach to regional connectivity in East Africa. While the Dash 8-400 serves as the backbone of the carrier’s domestic operations, its runway requirements limit access to smaller, unpaved, or geographically constrained airstrips. By integrating the DHC-6 Twin Otter, Ethiopian Airlines bridges the gap between major regional hubs and remote communities. This fleet diversification aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to stimulate local economic development and tourism by ensuring reliable air links to areas previously inaccessible by Commercial-Aircraft transport.

Sources: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited

Airlines (AS) has promoted Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett to the dual role of president and CFO, consolidating the carrier’s financial and commercial leadership under a single executive.

Announced in a press release on June 17, 2026, the appointment takes effect on June 29, 2026. The restructuring is designed to support the carrier’s “Alaska Accelerate” strategic plan and facilitate the ongoing Mergers of Hawaiian Airlines (HA) into the broader Alaska Air Group portfolio.

Consolidating commercial and financial oversight

Under the new corporate structure, Tackett will retain his existing responsibilities overseeing finance, fleet management, investor relations, supply chain, internal audit, and information technology. He will now add direct oversight of the airline’s commercial organization, which is currently led by Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison.

Alaska Air Group Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci framed the promotion as a necessary step to execute the company’s global ambitions and manage the complexities of the Hawaiian Airlines integration.

“Bringing commercial and finance leadership together under Shane will strengthen alignment and accelerate our priorities as we continue advancing our Strategy and creating long-term value for our stakeholders,” Minicucci stated.

Strategic alignment and Hawaiian Airlines integration

Tackett has spent 25 years at Alaska Airlines, working across finance, strategy, commercial, and labor relations roles before becoming CFO in 2020. During his tenure, he has served as a primary architect of the “Alaska Accelerate” plan, which aims to drive sustained earnings growth across industry cycles.

The promotion follows a broader wave of executive realignments initiated in September 2025 to build leadership capacity across the combined global carrier. Those earlier changes included naming Diana Birkett Rakow as CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Andy Schneider as CEO and president of Horizon Air (QX), and Jason Berry as Chief Operating Officer of Alaska Airlines.

“I started at Alaska more than 25 years ago, and over that time we’ve built a stronger, more resilient airline with a clear strategy for the future,” Tackett said. “As President and Chief Financial Officer, I’m excited to help lead even more of this organization as we continue executing Alaska Accelerate, growing our global relevance and delivering for our guests, employees and owners.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the consolidation of the commercial and financial portfolios under Tackett as a clear indicator of Alaska Air Group’s current operational priorities. Merging the oversight of revenue generation with cost control and capital allocation ensures that the complex integration of Hawaiian Airlines remains strictly tethered to financial performance targets. By elevating a 25-year veteran who already intimately understands the company’s financial architecture, Alaska is prioritizing stability and disciplined execution as it scales its network.

Sources: Alaska Airlines