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.
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.
