Africa’s aviation market recorded strong capacity growth in August 2026, with airline seat capacity across the continent rising 8.8% year-on-year, according to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), as airlines expanded networks, introduced new routes and deployed larger aircraft.
AFRAA’s latest African Airlines’ Performance Updates for August 2026 showed that capacity on intra-African routes increased by 10.5% compared with August 2025, reflecting continued efforts by carriers to strengthen connectivity across the continent.
The association attributed the growth to a combination of network expansion, new route launches and aircraft upsizing initiatives, amid rising demand for domestic and international air travel.
The report also showed that Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), a key measure of airline capacity, increased by 9% in July 2026 compared with the same month in 2025.
Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), which measure passenger traffic, also recorded an estimated 5.8% year-on-year increase during the period.
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AFRAA said intra-African connectivity in August, measured by capacity and traffic rights, comprised 39% third-freedom traffic, 38% fourth-freedom traffic and 23% fifth-freedom traffic.
The capacity expansion comes as African airlines continue to focus on improving connectivity within the continent and strengthening their ability to meet growing passenger demand.
The performance figures point to continued expansion in Africa’s aviation market, although airlines remain exposed to operating-cost pressures, particularly rising jet fuel prices.
