Cairo International Airport (CAI) continues its long-standing dominance of Africa’s skies, serving nearly 28.8 million passengers in 2024. This marks an 11% increase over 2023 and a 10.6% rise from pre-pandemic figures in 2019. As Egypt’s primary aviation gateway, Cairo connects the continent to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, supported by more than 30 international carriers.

The airport's modern facilities, expansion projects, and strategic location have reinforced its status as the epicenter of African air traffic. Recent infrastructure investments, including enhanced terminal capacity and improved transport links to downtown Cairo, have enabled the airport to manage growing passenger volumes while maintaining service efficiency.

South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg handled approximately 12.27 million passengers in 2024, remaining one of the most crucial transit hubs for Southern Africa. With over 200,000 aircraft movements annually, it is also among the most active airports on the continent in terms of takeoffs and landings.

Close on its heels is Ethiopia’s Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, which welcomed around 12.1 million travelers in 2024. That figure represents a 32% increase from its 2019 totals. Backed by the ambitious expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, Addis Ababa has evolved into a major East African aviation center and is poised to surpass Johannesburg in passenger traffic as early as this year.

The narrow gap—less than 200,000 passengers—between the two airports underscores a rapidly shifting landscape in African air travel. Addis Ababa’s growth has been fueled by new route launches, increased fleet capacity, and the airport’s role as a connecting point between Africa and global destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

In addition to Cairo, Egypt is home to two other airports among Africa’s busiest: Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada. Sharm El-Sheikh handled approximately 13.15 million passengers in 2024, while Hurghada received about 12.35 million. Both airports have benefited from the boom in Red Sea tourism, improvements in terminal capacity, and strong connections to European markets.

Morocco’s Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca served over 10.4 million passengers last year. As a major transit point between North and West Africa, as well as a gateway to Europe and the Americas, the airport plays a vital role in regional connectivity.

Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos welcomed about 8.24 million passengers, retaining its title as West Africa’s busiest airport. Recent upgrades, including the commissioning of a new terminal, have helped ease congestion and prepare the airport for further growth.

Cape Town International Airport reported over 10.3 million passengers in 2024, a major milestone signaling full recovery from the pandemic slump. The city’s global tourism appeal, the return of South African Airways long-haul flights, and new transatlantic routes all contributed to the rebound.

Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya served approximately 8.75 million passengers last year, driven by Kenya Airways' expanded services and rising demand for travel within the East African region. Nairobi also now ranks among the top in terms of weekly international flight operations.

Africa’s total air seat capacity rose to 24.4 million in July 2025, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year. International capacity jumped by 5.6%, and low-cost carriers outpaced full-service airlines with an 8.2% increase. This points to a growing appetite for intra-African and regional travel, as more affordable options reach underserved markets. As a result, Africa is gradually improving air connectivity and affordability, even though challenges persist in terms of high fuel prices, infrastructure bottlenecks, and limited airline profitability.

Despite impressive growth, African aviation faces several hurdles. Operating costs remain among the highest in the world, with fuel and airport fees significantly above the global average. Most African carriers operate at load factors below 75%, which impacts profitability and limits reinvestment potential.

Nonetheless, infrastructure upgrades across the continent are accelerating. Ethiopia has announced plans to build a second international airport in Addis Ababa with a projected capacity of 80 million passengers. Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are also pushing forward with terminal expansions, runway upgrades, and enhanced ground services to meet rising demand.

Cairo remains the undisputed leader in Africa’s air travel scene, benefiting from strategic positioning and robust infrastructure. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa and Johannesburg are locked in an increasingly close race for the second spot, reflecting broader regional shifts in passenger preferences and airline networks.

Airports in Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are steadily climbing, as investments in aviation continue across the continent. With intra-Africa travel still underutilized and demand steadily growing, the African aviation sector stands on the cusp of a new era of connectivity, mobility, and growth.

source: Africa Business Insider

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Cairo Leads as Africa’s Busiest Airport, Followed by Johannesburg and Addis Ababa