Africa has made notable advancements in developing airports that meet the highest international standards, as the continent aims to attract foreign investment and foster economic growth. Based on data from the Airports Council International (ACI), the busiest airports in Africa are ranked according to the total number of passenger flights, which includes passengers boarding, passengers disembarking, and those in direct transit.
Below are the top 5 airports in Africa.
South Africa’s Johannesburg International Airport
Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) is the primary airport in South Africa. It is highly trafficked, managing approximately 281 passenger flights each day. A total of 42 airlines operate scheduled flights to 84 destinations from this airport.
The longest flight from Johannesburg is to Atlanta, which takes about 16 hours and 50 minutes on a Boeing 777. The most frequently traveled route is to Cape Town, with an average of 321 weekly flights, accounting for 16% of all weekly departures. Gaborone and Harare are the most sought-after international destinations from here.
In terms of departures, South African Airways is the busiest airline at the airport, with 868 scheduled flights per week—approximately four times more than British Airways, the second-largest airline operating there.
Egypt’s Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport (CIA) is the largest airport in Egypt, handling around 175 passenger flights daily. It is served by 40 airlines that provide flights to 84 destinations.
The flight from Cairo to Toronto, Canada, takes about 12 hours and 10 minutes on a Boeing 777-300. The destination with the most departures from Cairo International is Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with an average of 128 flights per week, making up 10% of all weekly departures.
EgyptAir is the dominant airline in this airport, operating 690 scheduled takeoffs per week—about six times more than Saudia Airlines, the second-largest carrier.
Ethiopia’s Bole International Airport
Located in Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport (ADD) is Ethiopia’s largest airport. It accommodates approximately 137 passenger flights each day, with 17 airlines offering services to 106 destinations.
A flight from Addis Ababa to Toronto takes roughly 14 hours and 50 minutes on a Boeing 777-200LR. The route to Makale has the highest number of departures, averaging 59 flights per week, which is 6% of all weekly departures. Nairobi and Dubai are the leading international destinations from this airport.
Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline here, with 934 scheduled takeoffs every week—around 68 times more than Kenya Airways, the second-largest airline.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the largest airport in Kenya, located in Nairobi. It currently serves 126 passenger flights daily, with 32 airlines operating flights to 63 destinations.
The longest flight from Nairobi is to New York, taking about 15 hours on a Boeing 787-8. The most frequent route from Jomo Kenyatta International is to Mombasa, averaging 126 flights per week, which constitutes 14% of all weekly departures. Entebbe and Dar es Salaam are the primary international destinations from this airport.
Kenya Airways is the leading airline at Jomo Kenyatta International, with over 462 scheduled takeoffs each week—approximately three times more than Jambojet Limited, the second-largest airline in the country.
South Africa’s Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is South Africa’s second-largest airport, handling 117 passenger flights daily. It is served by 27 airlines that offer flights to 38 destinations.
The longest flight from Cape Town is to Hong Kong, lasting about 13 hours and 50 minutes on an Airbus A350-900. The route to Johannesburg has the highest number of departures, with an average of 321 flights per week, accounting for 39% of all weekly departures. Dubai and Windhoek are the most popular international destinations from this airport.
South African Airways is the largest airline at Cape Town International, with nearly 200 scheduled takeoffs per week.
