Top 10 airlines in Africa by seat capacity—May 2026 

The African aviation market continued its steady expansion in May 2026, supported by rising passenger demand, network recovery, and improving connectivity across domestic, regional, and international routes.

The sector remained highly competitive, with capacity growth driven by a mix of long-established flag carriers, low-cost operators, and international airlines serving key African markets.

This ranking highlights the top 10 airlines in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity, a key measure of scheduled airline supply and operational scale.

It is based on OAG’s African Aviation Market Data for May 2026, which tracks scheduled capacity across global airline markets.

While the ranking reflects a blend of African and international carriers, no Nigerian airline featured in the May 2026 top 10.

Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, last appeared in OAG’s top 10 in Africa in December 2025, when it ranked sixth and recorded the highest year-on-year seat capacity growth among African airlines, expanding its available seats by 53.4% from 285,470 in December 2024 to 437,974 in December 2025.

Here are the top 10 airlines in Africa by seat capacity in May 2026. 

easyJet

easyJet ranked tenth in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, recording 344,293 seats, up from 287,000 in May 2025, representing a 20.0% year-on-year increase. It also recorded the fastest growth among the top 10 airlines in the region.

The British low-cost carrier operates a point-to-point model focused on cost efficiency and primary airport access, with a fleet of 355 aircraft serving over 1,200 routes across 38 countries and 164 airports.

In Africa, easyJet expanded its footprint through Morocco, where it opened a permanent base at Marrakech Menara Airport in April 2026, stationing three aircraft at the airport. The move followed two decades of operations in the country and the carriage of over 20 million passengers.

The airline operates multiple routes across Morocco, including Marrakech, Agadir, Rabat, Essaouira, and Tangier, with additional seasonal services such as Hamburg–Marrakech becoming year-round operations. Its network in Morocco is set to expand further with new routes, strengthening its position as a key European carrier in the North Africa travel market.

Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways ranked ninth in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, recording 351,121 seats, a 1.1% year-on-year decline from 355,040 seats in May 2025.

Founded in January 1977, the airline is the flag carrier of Kenya and a key player in the country’s aviation sector. Headquartered in Nairobi, it operates from its main hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, providing connectivity across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Kenya Airways operates a fleet comprising Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737-300F freighters, and Embraer E190 regional jets, serving both passenger and cargo operations across its network.

The airline is led by Captain George Kamal as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Emirates

Emirates ranked eighth in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, offering 380,783 seats, down from 390,563 in May 2025, representing a 2.5% year-on-year decline.

The Dubai-based carrier continues to adjust and expand its African network as part of a broader strategy linking Africa to the Middle East and global trade routes.

A key development in 2026 was the expansion of services to Cairo, where Emirates introduced a fifth daily flight from February, making the Egyptian capital its most-served destination in Africa. The additional frequency also increased belly-hold cargo capacity by about 300 tonnes per week, supporting exports such as fresh agricultural produce.

The airline also expanded its Southern Africa operations with a third daily service to Cape Town from July 2026 and the introduction of the Airbus A350 alongside Boeing 777-300ER and A380 aircraft on select routes.

Emirates operates from its Dubai hub and serves over 140 destinations globally, including 22 across Africa such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.

Ryanair

Ryanair ranked seventh in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, offering 506,055 seats, up from 463,769 in May 2025, representing a 9.1% year-on-year increase.

The Irish ultra–low-cost carrier is part of Ryanair Holdings, headquartered in Swords, County Dublin. Across its subsidiaries—including Ryanair UK, Malta Air, Buzz, and Lauda Europe—the group operates a combined fleet of over 600 Boeing 737 aircraft serving more than 40 countries.

While primarily Europe-focused, the airline has steadily expanded its presence in North Africa, particularly Morocco, where it connects cities such as Marrakesh, Fez, Agadir, and Tangier to major European hubs. This growth has strengthened its position as one of the leading European low-cost carriers serving the African market, driven by rising demand for affordable Europe–Africa connectivity.

Airlink

Airlink ranked sixth in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, offering 560,543 seats, up from 515,983 in May 2025, representing an 8.6% year-on-year increase.

The privately owned, full-service regional carrier is based in South Africa and operates an extensive network across Southern Africa. Founded over three decades ago, it serves more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries, as well as St Helena Island, supported by a fleet of over 65 aircraft.

Its main hub is O.R. Tambo International Airport, from which it connects major South African cities and regional destinations across Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania, among others.

Airlink also maintains interline and codeshare partnerships with global carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines, strengthening its connectivity across Africa and international markets.

Air Algérie

Air Algérie ranked fifth in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, offering 708,300 seats, up from 631,321 in May 2025, representing a 12.2% year-on-year increase.

The flag carrier of Algeria operates a network spanning four continents, with 44 international and 33 domestic destinations, according to the airline’s website. Headquartered in Algiers, it connects key markets across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Its main hub is Houari Boumediene Airport, which serves as its primary operational base and handles the bulk of its domestic and international traffic.

Air Algérie operates a fleet of over 50 aircraft and continues to expand its regional and international footprint. In 2019, before the pandemic, it carried over 5 million passengers, reinforcing its position as one of North Africa’s leading carriers.

Royal Air Maroc

Royal Air Maroc ranked fourth in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, offering 750,960 seats, up from 647,156 in May 2025, representing a 16.0% year-on-year increase.

The flag carrier of Morocco operates from its main hub at Mohammed V International Airport, serving as a key gateway between Africa and global markets. Founded in 1957, the airline operates a mixed fleet of Boeing and Embraer aircraft and serves more than 90 destinations across Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East.

Its network includes major routes such as Lagos, Abuja, Dakar, Accra, Paris, New York, Montreal, São Paulo, and London, reinforcing its position as a major connecting carrier between West Africa and Europe.

Royal Air Maroc is led by Abdelhamid Addou as Chairman and CEO, and continues to serve as Morocco’s primary airline for international travel and trade.

EgyptAir

EgyptAir ranked third in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, recording 843,882 seats, up from 792,866 in May 2025, representing a 6.4% year-on-year increase.

Established in May 1932, the airline is one of the world’s earliest carriers, becoming the seventh airline globally. It commenced commercial operations in August 1933 with the Spartan Cruiser service from Cairo to Alexandria.

The airline, which is the flag carrier of Egypt, operates a fleet comprising 24 Airbus and 41 Boeing aircraft, serving a network of 13 domestic cities and 65 international destinations, alongside cargo operations covering 13 countries.

EgyptAir is managed under the EgyptAir Holding Company, which oversees subsidiaries spanning cargo, ground handling, and maintenance services, and is led by Eng. Yehia Zakaria Ismail Al-Naqady as Chairman and CEO.

FlySafair  

FlySafair ranked second in Africa by one-way departing seat capacity in May 2026, offering 955,995 seats, up from 942,855 in May 2025, representing a 1.4% year-on-year increase.

The South African low-cost carrier, launched in October 2014, operates a domestic-focused network across major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George, Bloemfontein, Mbombela, and Hoedspruit. Its operations are anchored at O.R. Tambo International Airport, with additional activity from Cape Town International Airport.

The airline runs a fleet of 36 aircraft and maintains a high-frequency schedule on key domestic routes. It operates under its parent company Safair, a specialist aviation firm established in 1965, which provides cargo, leasing, and military airlift services across multiple aircraft types.

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines remained Africa’s largest airline by departing seat capacity in May 2026, recording 2,002,433 one-way departing seats, up from 1,865,861 in May 2025, representing a 7.3% year-on-year increase. The airline, which has been in existence for over 80 years, continues to anchor its operations through its main hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, a key gateway for both intra-African and long-haul traffic.

In January 2026, Ethiopia commenced construction of the Bishoftu International Airport, a major aviation project designed to handle up to 110 million passengers annually when completed. Located about 40 km southeast of Addis Ababa, it is expected to become one of Africa’s largest hubs and ease long-term capacity pressure on Addis Ababa Bole, which is nearing its expanded 25 million-passenger limit.

The $12.5 billion project, up from an initial $10 billion estimate, will be financed through a mix of funding, including 30% from Ethiopian Airlines and the remainder from international lenders. The development is expected to strengthen the airline’s expansion across its 126 global destinations spanning Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia.