Here are the 10 busiest airports in Africa in March 2026

Air travel across Africa is experiencing robust growth, reflecting rising demand for both regional and international travel.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported in January 2026 that African airlines led all regions in international travel growth, with revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) increasing 11.7% year on year.

This followed a strong performance in December 2025, when air travel across the continent rose by 10.3%, marking one of Africa’s busiest months in recent history.

The surge highlights the continent’s recovery and highlights the growing role of air transport in connecting African cities with the rest of the world.

This article presents the ranking of the ten busiest airports in Africa in March 2026 based on data from OAG, a global aviation intelligence platform.

The ranking is determined by departing seats, which measure the total number of seats available on outbound flights, and offers insight into the hubs driving the continent’s aviation growth while supporting tourism, business, and regional connectivity.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport ranks tenth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, handling 483,048 seats, up from 436,473 in March 2025, a 10.7% year-on-year increase.

As Nigeria’s busiest airport, it serves as the country’s main international gateway, connecting Lagos with destinations across Africa, Europe, and North America. The airport has separate international and domestic terminals located about one kilometre apart, sharing the same runways.

MMIA is undergoing a major upgrade following the federal government’s approval of N712 billion for its modernization. The project includes Terminal 1 rehabilitation, Terminal 2 expansion, improved road access, and construction of connecting facilities, along with a temporary departure hall to minimize disruption.

These improvements reinforce MMIA’s role as a critical hub for Nigeria’s aviation, business, and tourism sectors, ensuring it continues to handle high passenger volumes efficiently.

Hurghada International Airport

Hurghada International Airport ranks ninth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, handling 509,452 seats, up from 436,209 in March 2025, a 16.8% year-on-year increase.

Located about five kilometres southwest of Hurghada’s city centre, it is Egypt’s second-busiest airport after Cairo International and serves as a major gateway for leisure travelers, particularly from Europe.

The airport has two terminals, including a modern facility opened in 2014, spanning 92,000 square metres with ample check-in counters, departure gates, and retail options.

Hurghada International plays a key role in supporting tourism, providing access to the city’s beaches, watersports, and diving destinations, and serving both domestic and international travelers.

Houari Boumediene International Airport, Algiers 

Houari Boumediene International Airport ranks eighth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, handling 513,760 seats, up from 446,731 in March 2025, marking a 15.0% year-on-year increase.

As Algeria’s main international gateway, the airport connects Algiers with numerous destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa.

It has multiple terminals catering to different flight types: Terminal 1 handles domestic flights, Terminal 2 manages charter and pilgrimage operations, and Terminal 4—the newest facility opened in 2019—handles international traffic.

Houari Boumediene remains a key hub for North African aviation, supporting both passenger and cargo traffic while linking Algeria to the broader region.

Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ranks seventh among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, handling 516,297 seats, up from 475,030 in March 2025, an 8.7% year-on-year increase.

As Kenya’s primary international gateway, it connects Nairobi to destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, supporting both tourism and business travel.

The airport has multiple terminals serving different flight types. Terminals 1A, 1B, and 1C manage international departures, Terminal 1D handles domestic flights, Terminal 1E serves international arrivals, and Terminal 2 accommodates low-cost and regional carriers.

Despite modest growth compared with some peers, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta continues to play a vital role in regional and intercontinental connectivity.

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport ranks sixth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, recording 591,343 seats, up from 494,728 in March 2025. This represents a 19.5% year-on-year increase—the highest growth among the continent’s top 10 airports.

The airport connects Casablanca with over 90 destinations worldwide through around 50 airlines, serving both passenger and cargo traffic.

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport has three terminals: Terminal 1 is the newest and largest, with modern facilities and a capacity of 14 million passengers; Terminal 2 handles international flights, while Terminal 3 is primarily for cargo operations.

Casablanca Mohammed V continues to play a critical role in Morocco’s tourism, business, and freight sectors, efficiently managing a high volume of passengers and cargo.

Marrakech Menara International Airport

Marrakech Menara International Airport ranks fifth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, handling 605,677 seats, up from 539,311 in March 2025, a 12.3% year-on-year increase.

As Marrakech’s main international gateway, the airport links the city to destinations across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, serving both leisure and business travelers.

It operates two terminals, with Terminal 1 managing the majority of domestic and international flights. The airport is a hub for Royal Air Maroc and a focus city for Ryanair, accommodating a large share of Morocco’s tourist traffic.

Marrakech Menara continues to play a central role in the country’s tourism-driven economy, facilitating access to the city’s historic sites, resorts, and leisure destinations.

Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport ranks fourth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, recording 663,762 seats, up from 597,573 in March 2025, marking an 11.1% year-on-year increase.

As South Africa’s second-busiest airport, it connects the Western Cape to both domestic and international destinations, supporting tourism, business travel, and regional connectivity.

The airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 handles international flights with major global carriers, while Terminal 2 serves domestic routes linking Cape Town to cities like Johannesburg and Durban.

With its modern facilities and strategic location, Cape Town International continues to be a vital gateway to the region’s scenic landscapes, cultural attractions, and economic centers.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport 

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport ranks third among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, handling 1,158,832 seats, up from 1,104,916 in March 2025, a 4.9% year-on-year increase.

As the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines, the airport connects Addis Ababa with major destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, reinforcing its position as a vital transit point on the continent.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal II manages international flights, while Terminal I serve domestic routes. Passengers benefit from modern facilities, including self-check-in kiosks, VIP lounges, duty-free shops, and a range of dining options.

Supporting both regional and long-haul travel, Addis Ababa Bole remains a key gateway for passengers moving within Africa and beyond.

R. Tambo International Airport   

R. Tambo International Airport ranks second among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in March 2026, recording 1,194,562 seats, up from 1,086,132 in March 2025, representinga 10.0% year-on-year increase.

As South Africa’s largest airport and the main hub for South African Airways, it connects Johannesburg to major destinations across all six inhabited continents, reinforcing its role as a key gateway to sub-Saharan Africa.

The airport operates separate international and domestic terminals. The international terminal handles long-haul and regional flights, while the domestic terminal serves routes within South Africa.

It continues to manage high passenger volumes efficiently, supporting both regional connectivity and intercontinental travel.

Cairo International Airport 

Cairo International Airport ranks as Africa’s busiest airport by departing seats in March 2026, handling 1,747,610 seats, up from 1,585,148 in March 2025, reflecting a 10.2% year-on-year increase.

As Egypt’s main international gateway, it connects North Africa to key destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, reinforcing its role as a major continental hub.

The airport operates three terminals, with Terminals 1 and 3 serving international traffic, while Terminal 2 handles domestic and regional flights. Recent upgrades, including expanded transit facilities, a VIP terminal, and improved road access, have further enhanced capacity and passenger flow.

It remains central to Egypt’s aviation and tourism sectors, sustaining high traffic volumes and its leading position on the continent.