Air travel in Africa is set to exceed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 2024. From Cairo, home to Africa’s second-oldest airport, to Johannesburg, which uniquely offers direct flights to six continents, the continent’s aviation sector is on a robust recovery trajectory.
A report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlights a significant 20.7% year-on-year increase in international passenger traffic for African airlines.
This surge in capacity, up by 22.1% year-on-year, underscores the growth within Africa’s aviation sector. This expansion mirrors a global trend, with total passenger traffic exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 5.7% in February 2024.
In this context, Nairametrics has compiled a list of the busiest airports in Africa based on daily flight traffic in 2024.
Methodology
This list ranks the busiest airports in Africa by the number of scheduled daily departures, rather than the number of passengers. It includes only scheduled passenger flights, excluding freighters or chartered flights. The data is sourced from FlightsFrom.com, a travel tool website that publishes airline routes and schedules worldwide.
Durban International Airport in South Africa is the third-largest airport in the country, with an average of 55 daily flights. The busiest route is to Johannesburg (JNB), featuring an average of 204 weekly departures, accounting for over 55% of the airport’s total weekly flights.
Key international destinations include Dubai (DXB) and Harare (HRE). Safair is the leading airline at Durban International, with around 205 scheduled weekly departures, four times the number of flights operated by the second-largest airline, CemAir.
Kotoka International Airport (ACC), the largest airport in Ghana located in Accra, handles an average of 57 flights daily. Operating from three terminals (Terminal 1, 2, and 3), the airport’s busiest route is to Kumasi (KMS), with an average of 88 weekly departures, representing 22% of the total weekly flights.
Major international destinations include Lagos (LOS) and Abidjan (ABJ). The longest flights from Kotoka are to New York (JFK) and Dulles (IAD). Africa World Airlines has the highest number of departures, with around 117 scheduled take-offs weekly, followed by Passion Air.
Zanzibar International Airport, the second-largest airport in the United Republic of Tanzania, hosts an average of 70 daily flights. With two terminals (Terminal 2 and Terminal 3), its busiest route is to Dar Es Salaam (DAR), with 221 weekly departures, accounting for 42% of the airport’s total weekly flights.
Frequent international destinations include Nairobi (NBO) and Mombasa (MBA). Auric Air dominates departures from Zanzibar, with approximately 123 scheduled take-offs each week, followed by Precision Air.
Dar Es Salaam International Airport (DAR), the largest airport in the United Republic of Tanzania, accommodates an average of 75 flights daily. Operating from three terminals, the airport’s busiest route is to Zanzibar (ZNZ), with an average of 173 weekly departures, accounting for 33% of the total weekly flights. Prominent international destinations from Dar Es Salaam include Nairobi (NBO) and Addis Ababa (ADD). The longest flights are to Guangzhou (CAN) and Amsterdam (AMS). Air Tanzania leads in departures from DAR, with approximately 148 scheduled take-offs each week, followed by Precision Air.
Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), the second-largest airport in Morocco, handles an average of 79 daily flights. The busiest route is to Paris Orly (ORY), with an average of 45 weekly flights, making up 8% of all departures. Domestically, Casablanca (CMN) and Fes (FEZ) are the most popular destinations. The longest flights from Marrakesh are to New York (EWR) and Montreal (YUL). Ryanair is the largest airline at Marrakesh Menara, with about 181 scheduled take-offs each week, followed by easyJet.
Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), the second-largest airport in Nigeria, handles an average of 79 daily flights from one of its four terminals (Terminal B, C, D, and E). The busiest route is to Lagos (LOS), with an average of 178 weekly departures, accounting for 32% of all weekly flights. Key international destinations include Accra (ACC) and Lome (LFW). The longest flights from Abuja are to Doha (DOH) and London (LHR). Air Peace leads in departures from Abuja, with around 149 scheduled take-offs weekly, followed by Cimber AS. The airport accommodates larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Airbus A350, and Airbus A340, while the most frequently scheduled aircraft types are the Boeing 737 and Embraer ERJ14X/13X.
Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN), the largest airport in Tunisia, handles an average of 83 flights daily. With 26 airlines operating, you can fly to 65 destinations in scheduled passenger traffic. The busiest route is to Mitiga, Tripoli (MJI) in Libya, with an average of 52 weekly flights, comprising 9% of all weekly departures. Popular domestic destinations include Djerba (DJE) and Sfax (SFA). Tunisair is the leading airline at Tunis–Carthage, with approximately 210 scheduled take-offs each week, followed by Nouvelair Tunisie. The airport accommodates larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330. The most frequently scheduled aircraft types are the Airbus A31X/32X and Boeing 737.
Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), the largest airport in Algeria located in Algiers, handles approximately 100 flights daily. Departures occur from one of its four terminals (Terminal 3, D, I, and W). The most frequently traveled route is to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in France, with an average of 69 weekly flights, constituting 9% of all weekly departures. Domestically, popular destinations include Oran (ORN) and Constantine (CZL). The longest flights from Algiers are to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Beijing (PEK). Air Algerie leads in departures from Houari Boumediene, with approximately 509 scheduled take-offs each week, significantly surpassing the second-largest airline, Air France. The airport accommodates larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Airbus A330, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, while the most frequently scheduled aircraft types are the Boeing 737 and ATR 72/42.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, stands as the country’s largest airport, handling an average of 101 daily flights. Flights operate from its two terminals, Terminal D and Terminal I. The busiest route is to Abuja (ABV), with an average of 178 weekly flights, comprising 25% of all weekly departures. Key international destinations from Lagos include Accra (ACC) and Doha (DOH). The longest flights include Lagos to Maasai Mara (ANA), a journey lasting approximately 23 hours. Air Peace leads in departures from Murtala Muhammed Airport, with around 193 scheduled take-offs per week, followed by Cimber AS.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT), the second-largest airport in South Africa, operates an average of 103 flights daily. The airport’s busiest route is to Johannesburg (JNB), with approximately 301 weekly flights, representing 41% of all weekly departures. Key international destinations from Cape Town include Windhoek (WDH) and Dubai (DXB). The longest flights from Cape Town are to Atlanta (ATL) and Dulles (IAD). Safair leads in departures from Cape Town International Airport, with around 268 scheduled take-offs per week, followed by Airlink (South Africa).
Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), the largest airport in Morocco located in Casablanca, operates with approximately 104 flights daily. Flights depart from its two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The most frequented route is to Paris Orly (ORY) in France, with an average of 46 weekly flights, constituting 6% of all weekly departures. Popular domestic destinations include Marrakech (RAK) and Agadir (AGA). The longest flights from Casablanca are to Miami (MIA) and Dulles (IAD). Royal Air Maroc leads departures from Mohammed V Airport, with approximately 559 scheduled take-offs each week, significantly surpassing the second-largest airline, Air Arabia Maroc.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), the largest airport in Kenya situated in Nairobi, records approximately 123 flights daily. Flights operate from its five terminals (Terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 2). The most frequented route is to Mombasa, with an average of 147 weekly flights, accounting for 17% of all weekly departures. Key international destinations from Nairobi include Kigali (KGL) and Entebbe (EBB). The longest flights from Jomo Kenyatta International are to New York (JFK) and Changsha (CSX). Kenya Airways accounts for around 405 scheduled take-offs per week, followed by Jambojet Limited.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), the largest airport in Ethiopia, operates with a remarkable 194 flights daily. Flights depart from its two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The most frequently traveled route is to Bahar Dar (BJR), with an average of 106 weekly flights, representing 7% of all weekly departures. Key international destinations from Addis Ababa include Dubai (DXB) and Rome (FCO). The longest flights from Bole International Airport are to Sao Paulo (GRU) and Shanghai (PVG). Ethiopian Airlines has the most departures