Africa’s aviation market continues to experience steady expansion, driven by rising demand for both regional and international air travel across the continent.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) monthly updates, international passenger demand in Africa has been growing steadily for several months, reflecting sustained momentum in the region’s aviation recovery.
This growth has been supported by improving connectivity, stronger airline networks, and increased travel activity across key African markets.
This article presents the ranking of the ten busiest airports in Africa in May 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.
Cairo International Airport ranked as Africa’s busiest airport by departing seats in May 2026, with projected scheduled one-way departing capacity reaching 1,656,693 seats, up from 1,545,787 in May 2025, reflecting a 7.2% year-on-year increase.
As Egypt’s primary international gateway, the airport connected North Africa to major destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, reinforcing its position as one of the continent’s leading aviation hubs.
Located in Heliopolis, about 15 kilometres northeast of Cairo’s city centre, the airport handles nearly 28 million passengers annually and serves over 100 destinations through airlines including EgyptAir, Nile Air, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa.
