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.
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.
