Africa’s aviation sector continues to grow, supported by rising passenger demand, stronger regional connectivity, and recovery in domestic and international markets.
According to OAG, a global aviation data provider, Africa’s aviation market recorded broad-based growth in April 2026, with total airline capacity measured as available seats on scheduled flights rising 5.2% year on year to 23.9 million seats.
International capacity accounted for 77% of total seats and grew by 3.9% compared to April 2025, while domestic capacity increased by 9.9%, reflecting stronger intra-African demand.
Mainline carriers held a 79% market share, growing 4.5% year on year, while low-cost carriers rose faster by 8.2% to 5 million seats.
This ranking of the Top 10 African countries by total airline capacity in April 2026 is based on OAG data and reflects available seat supply across both domestic and international operations in Africa’s aviation market.
Egypt ranks first in Africa for airline capacity in April 2026, with 2,923,963 seats across domestic and international operations. This represents a 2.80% increase from 2,845,233 seats in April 2025.
Capacity is largely driven by international traffic, supported by EgyptAir and major global carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
Tourism remains a major driver, with the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple, and the Valley of the Kings attracting millions of visitors annually. Strong transit flows between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe also sustain demand.
Egypt’s position is reinforced by its strategic location and aviation infrastructure, led by Cairo International Airport, a major regional and intercontinental hub.
