African airlines recorded a 7.1% rise in passenger traffic in August, driven by strong summer travel demand, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Capacity increased by 5.3%, while the average load factor improved to 79.7%, up 1.3 points from last year. The growth outpaced the global average of 4.6%, signaling continued recovery in Africa’s aviation sector.

Analysts cite leisure travel, new routes, and better regional connectivity as key drivers. Major carriers like Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways expanded operations to capture the surge.

Despite the gains, the industry still faces high costs and infrastructure challenges. IATA expects Africa’s air traffic to grow by about 4.1% annually over the next two decades.