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.
Ryanair ranks ninth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 413,411 seats, a 24.4% increase from 332,295 in October 2024.
The airline is part of Ryanair Holdings plc, an Irish ultra–low-cost airline group headquartered in Swords, County Dublin. The group also owns subsidiaries such as Ryanair UK, Malta Air, Buzz, and Lauda Europe, operating a combined fleet of more than 600 Boeing 737 aircraft across over 40 countries.
Although based in Europe, Ryanair has been steadily expanding its footprint in North Africa, particularly in Morocco, where it connects cities such as Marrakesh, Fez, Agadir, and Tangier to major European hubs. This expansion has strengthened Ryanair’s position as one of the leading European low-cost carriers serving the African market, catering to the growing demand for budget-friendly connectivity between Europe and North Africa.
