The African aviation market continues to grow, driven by rising passenger demand, expanding route networks, and increased connectivity across domestic, regional, and international destinations.
Airlines operating in Africa range from established local carriers with decades of experience to major international airlines that link the continent with the rest of the world.
This ranking highlights the leading airlines shaping air travel in Africa, showcasing the carriers that provide the most capacity to meet passenger demand in key markets. The list reflects a dynamic and competitive landscape, where a mix of indigenous African airlines and international carriers coexist to offer passengers a wide range of travel options and contribute to the growth of Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
The ranking below, based on one-way departing seats, is sourced from OAG, specifically the African Aviation Market Data as of October 30, 2025, and provides a snapshot of which airlines lead in capacity across the continent.
Ethiopian Airlines ranks first in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 1,940,328 seats, up 14.1% from 1,701,244 seats in October 2024.
The airline operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft, with additional aircraft on order. Its hub in Addis Ababa connects 145 international destinations, including 65 cities across Africa, giving it the largest intra-African network among African carriers.
Founded in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and is wholly owned by the Ethiopian government. It was the first airline in Africa to operate jets such as the B767, B777-200LR, B787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350, and it is a member of the Star Alliance.
According to its 2023/2024 annual report, the latest available, the Ethiopian Airlines Group transported 17.1 million passengers and 754,600 tons of cargo across five continents, generating $7.04 billion in revenue and a profit of $1.05 billion. The airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer is Mesfin Tasew.
