Africa’s busiest airports have seen a surge in outbound travel this December, reflecting a strong holiday season and growing demand for international and regional connectivity. According to the latest aviation schedule data, Cairo International Airport tops the list, followed closely by O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Top 10 Busiest African Airports by Outbound Seats
Cairo International Airport (Egypt) – ~1.7 million departing seats, maintaining its position as the continent’s busiest hub.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa) – Southern Africa’s key gateway continues to handle high outbound traffic.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia) – Driven by Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive network, it ranks third.
Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (Morocco) – A fast-growing North African hub.
Cape Town International Airport (South Africa) – Major tourism departure point.
Marrakech Menara International Airport (Morocco) – Rapidly increasing due to leisure travel demand.
Houari Boumediene International Airport (Algiers, Algeria) – Expanding international connections.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya) – East Africa’s principal gateway.
Hurghada International Airport (Egypt) – Tourism-focused airport with significant outbound traffic.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos, Nigeria) – West Africa’s busiest airport and Africa’s tenth busiest overall.
Trends Highlight Strong Recovery
Overall aircraft seat capacity in Africa grew by approximately 6.8% compared to December last year, driven largely by international routes, which accounted for 77% of all scheduled seats. Airports in North Africa (Egypt, Morocco) and Southern Africa (South Africa) experienced the strongest growth, reflecting the continent’s increasing appeal as a holiday and business destination.
Experts note that this surge underscores Africa’s continuing aviation recovery, with both legacy carriers and low-cost airlines expanding networks to meet rising travel demand.
As holiday travelers take to the skies, the continent’s airports are not just managing increased passenger flows, they are setting the stage for continued growth in Africa’s aviation sector in 2026. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.