The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has officially deployed its Free Route Airspace (FRA) initiative in West and Central Africa, following two years of trials, and is preparing to extend the solution to East and Southern Africa next year.
FRA is the African aviation industry’s migration from traditional, land-based navigation – which relies on fixed waypoints and rigid airways – to a digital system that allows airlines to design more direct, fuel-efficient User Preferred Routes (UPRs). These routes enable pilots to adjust to real-time conditions such as weather, reducing fuel consumption, shortening flight times and lowering emissions.
“Planes have historically followed airways and consequently, it lengthens flight paths and can cause congestion at times. With FRA, rather than saying this is a path that aircraft must follow, it says these are places aircraft can’t go. This helps reduce congestion, optimise fuel consumption and, from a passenger perspective, could help reduce turbulence,” explained aviation expert, Sean Mendis.
Airlines operating in West and Central African airspace can now apply to operate on UPRs, with local air navigation service providers (ANSPs) committing to expediting approvals. By mid-2026, approvals will no longer be required.
https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/africa-prepares-for-major-airspace-overhaul
