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.
O.R. Tambo International Airport ranked third among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in May 2026, with projected scheduled one-way departing capacity of 1,096,679 seats, up from 1,029,124 in May 2025, representing a 6.6% year-on-year increase.
As South Africa’s largest airport and the main hub for South African Airways, it connects Johannesburg to destinations across all six inhabited continents.
The airport operates distinct international and domestic terminals, with the international side handling long-haul and regional traffic while the domestic terminal serves routes within South Africa, supporting high-volume passenger flows across both segments.
O.R. Tambo remains one of Africa’s most connected airports, serving a wide network of regional and global destinations and maintaining its position as a critical aviation hub for the continent’s southern region.
