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.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport ranked as Africa’s second-busiest airport by departing seats in May 2026, with projected scheduled one-way departing capacity reaching 1,147,488 seats, up from 1,072,240 in May 2025, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase.
As the primary hub for Ethiopian Airlines, the airport strengthened its role as one of Africa’s most important transit gateways, connecting East Africa to major destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Located about 6 kilometres southeast of central Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport is Ethiopia’s main international gateway and the largest airport in East Africa. Its two-terminal structure supports both domestic and international traffic, while modern amenities, terminal upgrades, and ongoing expansion projects continue to boost capacity.
With ambitious plans to expand annual passenger capacity to 60 million by 2029, Addis Ababa Bole remains central to Ethiopia’s aviation growth and a critical connector for regional and long-haul travel across Africa and beyond.
