• Google launched Flight Deals, an AI feature that finds the cheapest tickets.

• Airfares in Africa remain among the highest globally due to heavy taxes and limited liberalization.

• Wider use of AI comparators could disrupt travel agencies that rely on low price visibility.

Google recently announced the launch of Flight Deals, a new feature in its Google Flights platform. The tool, powered by artificial intelligence, automatically searches for the cheapest airline tickets, unlike traditional comparators such as Skyscanner or Kayak. It is currently available in the United States, Canada, and India, and is expected to expand to Europe soon.

Africa is not yet included in the rollout, but such a service could have major implications for the continent. Air travel costs remain one of the biggest obstacles to mobility in Africa. According to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), ticket prices are among the highest in the world due to heavy taxes, sometimes reaching 40% of fares, and limited market liberalization. In Gabon, for example, taxes can amount to $297.9 per ticket, AFRAA reported in a recent study on aviation taxation.

International digital platforms are steadily changing consumer habits. By positioning themselves as key intermediaries, they could significantly influence ticket sales in Africa.

If an AI-based flight comparator were to be deployed on the continent, it could directly affect local travel agencies. Many rely on opaque pricing to secure margins, but global digital platforms offering speed and transparency could force them to adapt their services.