Nigeria Ranks 7th on List of Africa’s Top 10 Busiest Airports

Nigeria has been ranked seventh position among the top ten busiest airports in Africa.

A new report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that African airlines saw a big 20.7% increase in international passengers compared to last year. 

This boost is part of a bigger trend where the global airline industry is recovering, with overall passenger numbers in February 2024 being 5.7% higher than before the pandemic.

Leading the list of the top ten busiest airports in Africa is Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, serving as the primary aviation hub for Southern Africa.

Here a the list of the top 10 busiest Airports:

1. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg

In 2023, O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg handled a total of 15 million passengers. This figure includes all domestic and international passenger movements throughout the year​.

O.R. Tambo International Airport serves as the country’s primary aviation gateway, Due to South Africa’s extensive size, air travel is often the most practical method for connecting its various cities.

In 2006, the airport was renamed to honour Oliver Reginald Tambo, a celebrated anti-apartheid figure. The airport was previously named Jan Smuts, after a former prime minister who supported apartheid policies.                                              

2. Cairo International Airport, Cairo

Cairo International Airport has recently seen remarkable development and growth, establishing itself as a key hub in Africa for both passenger and cargo flights. 

Throughout 2023, the airport successfully managed over 26 million passengers on nearly 195,000 flights. 

This significant activity contributed to Egypt’s overall airport traffic, which surged to about 47 million passengers for the year, representing a substantial 28% increase compared to the previous year. 

This growth underscores Cairo International Airport’s expanding role in connecting Egypt with global destinations, boosting its capabilities to handle an increasing flow of travellers and goods.

3. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa

Bole International Airport is the main base for Ethiopian Airlines, which is the biggest airline in Africa. It has good connections to places inside Africa and other continents. 

The airport is growing quickly and has the facilities needed to manage tens of thousands of travellers every day during the busiest times.

4.  Cape Town International Airport 

Named the best airport on the continent for seven consecutive years, Cape Town International airport ranks among the busiest in Africa, having accommodated 10.9 million passengers in 2019. 

The majority of these travellers likely had a positive experience, as evidenced by its recognition from Skytrax, the world’s airline and airport star rating programme.

5.  Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca

In 2023, Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca experienced significant growth in passenger numbers, accommodating nearly 8.97 million passengers in the first 11 months of the year. 

This marked a 95% recovery compared to the same period in 2019. The airport’s performance indicates a robust rebound in air travel following the downturns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morocco’s busiest airport is in Casablanca, a city renowned for its role in the classic World War Two film. 

6. Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers

In the first quarter of 2023, Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers recorded a total of 1.7 million passengers. 

This figure includes over 640,000 departing and almost 511,000 arriving international passengers, along with 270,000 departing and 276,000 arriving on domestic flights. 

The airport handled a total of 17,500 flights during this period, split between domestic and international routes.

Despite these numbers, the airport is much bigger than it seems. It has four terminals and can manage up to 22 million passengers every year, although it hasn’t reached this capacity yet.

Like many other airports mentioned, Houari Boumediene Airport is named after Algeria’s second president after gaining independence.

7. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

In 2023, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos processed approximately 6.53 million passengers. 

This data places it among the busiest airports in Africa, reflecting a significant volume of both domestic and international travel handled by the airport.

The airport remains a critical hub for both passenger and cargo traffic in West and Central Africa.

8.  Menara Airport, Marrakech

Menara Airport serves Morocco’s capital city of the Marrakech-Safi region, Marrakech.

Marrakech Menara Airport recently ranked as the second-best regional airport in Africa in 2023 according to the Skytrax. 

This highlights its top-notch services, cleanliness, and how well it looks after its travellers. These awards show the airport’s ongoing efforts to make flying better for passengers.

Additionally, Menara isn’t just for passengers; it’s fully equipped to handle cargo too. It has a long runway and offers various services like ground handling and fuel supply, ensuring smooth operations for both cargo and passenger flights.

9. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi

Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is one of East Africa’s busiest airports.

In 2023, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi planned to build a new terminal to reduce crowding. 

There was also a fire that temporarily closed one of its terminals, but operations were quickly adjusted to keep the airport running smoothly. Upgrades and improvements were made throughout the year to make the airport better for travellers

Additionally, JKIA’s strategic location in East Africa makes it a critical gateway for international travelers heading to other destinations within Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

10. King Shaka International Airport, Durban

King Shaka International Airport, named after the founder of the Zulu kingdom, is among South Africa’s most modern airports. It boasts spacious terminals and can accommodate large intercontinental aircraft like the Airbus A380.