Africa’s aviation sector continues its strong upward trajectory in October 2025, with Ethiopian Airlines leading the continent in one-way departing seats.
The growth reflects rising passenger demand, broader route expansion, and stronger connectivity across domestic, regional, and international markets..
According to nairametrics.com, this ranking highlights the leading airlines shaping air travel in Africa, showcasing the carriers that provide the most capacity to meet passenger demand in key markets.
The list reflects a dynamic and competitive landscape, where a mix of indigenous African airlines and international carriers coexist to offer passengers a wide range of travel options and contribute to the growth of Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
The ranking below, based on one-way departing seats, is sourced from OAG, specifically the African Aviation Market Data as of October 30, 2025, and provides a snapshot of which airlines lead in capacity across the continent.
10. Emirates
Emirates ranks tenth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 391,585 seats, up 9.4% from 357,988 seats in October 2024.
Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Emirates operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, including the A380, A350, and Boeing 777. The airline serves over 140 global destinations: 50 in Asia and the Pacific, 41 in Europe, 19 in the Americas, 15 in the Middle East, and 22 in Africa, connecting major African markets such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum serves as Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.
9. Ryanair
Ryanair ranks ninth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 413,411 seats, a 24.4% increase from 332,295 in October 2024.
The airline is part of Ryanair Holdings plc, an Irish ultra–low-cost airline group headquartered in Swords, County Dublin. The group also owns subsidiaries such as Ryanair UK, Malta Air, Buzz, and Lauda Europe, operating a combined fleet of more than 600 Boeing 737 aircraft across over 40 countries.
Although based in Europe, Ryanair has been steadily expanding its footprint in North Africa, particularly in Morocco, where it connects cities such as Marrakesh, Fez, Agadir, and Tangier to major European hubs. This expansion has strengthened Ryanair’s position as one of the leading European low-cost carriers serving the African market, catering to the growing demand for budget-friendly connectivity between Europe and North Africa.
8. Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways ranks eighth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, recording 425,559 seats, a slight 1.3% year-on-year decrease from 431,000 seats in October 2024.
Founded in January 1977, Kenya Airways is the flag carrier of Kenya and a major player in the country’s aviation and economic landscape. Headquartered in Nairobi, the airline operates from its primary hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, providing connectivity across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Its modern fleet includes Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737-300F freighters, and Embraer E190 regional jets, serving both passenger and cargo operations.
Allan Kilavuka serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways.
7. Airlink
Airlink ranks seventh in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, with 434,213 seats, down 10.0% from 482,637 seats recorded in October 2024.
The airline is a privately owned, full-service regional carrier based in South Africa, operating an extensive network across Southern Africa. Founded over three decades ago, Airlink serves more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries and St Helena Island, maintaining a fleet of over 65 aircraft.
Airlink connects major South African cities and regional destinations across Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania, among others.
The airline also has interline and codeshare partnerships with global carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines, offering passengers greater connectivity throughout Africa and beyond.
De Villiers Engelbrecht serves as Chief Executive Officer of Airlink.
6. Air Peace
Air Peace ranks sixth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 437,974 seats, a 53.4% increase from 285,470 seats in October 2024 — the highest year-on-year growth among the top ten airlines.
Founded in 2013 by Allen Onyema, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace has grown to become Nigeria’s largest carrier, operating an extensive mix of domestic, regional, and international routes.
The airline’s domestic network covers major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, Uyo, and Benin, among others. Its regional services extend to Accra, Douala, Dakar, Lomé, Monrovia, and Banjul, while its international network includes long-haul routes to Johannesburg, Jeddah, and Mumbai.
In 2024, Air Peace launched direct flights from Lagos to London Gatwick Airport, and in October 2025, it commenced a new Abuja–London Heathrow service, further strengthening its international presence.
5. Air Algerie
Air Algérie ranks fifth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 616,635 seats, up from 577,811 seats in October 2024.
The flag carrier of Algeria, Air Algérie operates a network spanning four continents, with 44 international and 33 domestic routes. Headquartered in Algiers, the airline connects major destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
The carrier has a fleet of 56 aircraft that meet international safety standards and continues to expand its presence on the continent. Before the pandemic, Air Algérie carried more than 5 million passengers in 2019, reflecting its role as one of North Africa’s major airlines.
The airline is led by Hamza Benhamouda, CEO of Air Algérie.
4. Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc ranks fourth in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 618,003 seats, a 7.6% increase from 574,352 seats recorded in October 2024.
The flag carrier of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc operates from its main hub at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. The airline runs an extensive network connecting Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East, serving destinations such as Lagos, Abuja, Dakar, Accra, Paris, New York, Montreal, and São Paulo.
Founded in 1957, the airline operates a mixed fleet of Boeing and Embraer aircraft, serving as Morocco’s primary gateway for international travel and trade. Royal Air Maroc is also a member of the Oneworld Alliance, enhancing connectivity through partnerships with global carriers across multiple continents.
The airline is led by Abdelhamid Addou, Chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc.
3. Egyptair
Egyptair ranks third in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 823,910 seats, a 4.0% increase from 792,199 seats in October 2024.
The flag carrier of Egypt, Egyptair operates scheduled passenger and cargo flights to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Headquartered at Cairo International Airport, the airline has a fleet of over 65 Airbus and Boeing aircraft and is managed under the Egyptair Holding Company, which oversees several aviation subsidiaries covering ground handling, cargo, and maintenance.
Egyptair has been a member of the Star Alliance network since 2008, partnering with global carriers such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and United Airlines to expand its international reach.
The airline is led by Eng. Yehia Zakaria Ismail Al-Naqady, Chairman and CEO of Egyptair Holding Company.
2. FlySafair
FlySafair ranks second in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 937,746 seats, a 0.4% increase from 934,044 seats in October 2024.
Launched in October 2014, FlySafair operates domestic flights across South Africa, connecting major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George, Bloemfontein, Mbombela, and Hoedspruit. The airline currently has a fleet of 36 aircraft and operates multiple daily flights on its main routes.
FlySafair is a subsidiary of Safair, a company established in 1965 that provides specialist airlift, cargo, and aircraft leasing services, including operations with Lockheed Hercules C130 and Boeing aircraft for other airlines.
FlySafair focuses on scheduled domestic passenger flights under its own brand, distinct from Safair’s cargo and leasing operations. The airline is led by CEO Elmar Conradie.
1. Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines ranks first in Africa for one-way departing seats in October 2025, offering 1,940,328 seats, up 14.1% from 1,701,244 seats in October 2024.
The airline operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft, with additional aircraft on order. Its hub in Addis Ababa connects 145 international destinations, including 65 cities across Africa, giving it the largest intra-African network among African carriers.
Founded in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and is wholly owned by the Ethiopian government. It was the first airline in Africa to operate jets such as the B767, B777-200LR, B787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350, and it is a member of the Star Alliance.
According to its 2023/2024 annual report, the latest available, the Ethiopian Airlines Group transported 17.1 million passengers and 754,600 tons of cargo across five continents, generating $7.04 billion in revenue and a profit of $1.05 billion. The airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer is Mesfin Tasew.
