Business Insider Africa has released its 2025 ranking of the top 10 busiest airports in Africa, with Cairo International Airport topping the list after recording 28.97 million passengers, followed by Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport with 18.37 million passengers.
According to africa.businessinsider, in what signals a robust rebound for Africa’s aviation sector, the continent’s busiest airports are reporting a remarkable surge in passenger traffic, reflecting renewed travel demand, economic recovery, and the return of global connectivity after the pandemic-era slump.
A major factor behind the surge in airport activity is the robust rebound in tourism. Nations like Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya have experienced sharp rises in tourist arrivals, thanks to enhanced infrastructure and targeted efforts to attract global visitors.
Alongside tourism, business travel is also on the rise, driven by the rapid growth of commercial centres across the continent.
Meanwhile, the expansion of African airlines has significantly boosted air traffic. Leading carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, and Royal Air Maroc are growing their fleets, adding new routes, and forging international partnerships.
In 2025, African airports collectively recorded tens of millions of passenger movements, driven by increased regional connectivity, improved infrastructure, and stronger airline networks. But among the dozens of international gateways across the continent, a few stood out for their sheer volume of traffic.
Cairo International Airport leads as Africa’s busiest, handling 28.97 million passengers, according to data sourced from Statisense. Its strategic position linking Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, along with Egypt’s tourism rebound and EgyptAir’s network expansion, has fueled its growth.
OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg follows with 18.37 million passengers. As southern Africa’s economic hub, it remains vital for regional and global travel.
Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport ranks third with 11.80 million passengers, thanks largely to Ethiopian Airlines.
