Africa’s aviation market is expanding as airlines increase seat capacity, open new routes and invest in larger, more efficient fleets.
Scheduled airline capacity across the continent reached 26.3 million seats in July 2026, representing a 7.5% increase compared with the same period in 2025. International services accounted for 79% of the market, while domestic capacity increased by 11.1%.
Passenger demand also strengthened. African airlines recorded an 8.9% year-on-year increase in international passenger traffic in May 2026, while the average passenger load factor improved to 73.4%.
Behind this growth are executives making decisions on fleet expansion, route development, finance, technology and regional connectivity. Based on scheduled seat capacity in July 2026, these are the leaders managing the ten largest airlines serving the African market.
10. Allen Onyema | Founder and CEO, Air Peace
Scheduled seat capacity: 360,200
Allen Onyema founded Air Peace in 2013, with commercial operations beginning in October 2014. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a domestic Nigerian carrier into an airline serving regional and international destinations.
Before entering aviation, Onyema trained as a lawyer at the University of Ibadan and built a career in legal practice, conflict resolution and peace advocacy.
Air Peace now operates more than 30 domestic, regional and international routes. The airline has also invested in Boeing 777 aircraft, Embraer E195-E2 jets and other planes supporting its expansion.
In July 2026, Air Peace recorded the fastest seat-capacity growth among the ten largest airlines serving Africa. Its available seats increased by 50.6% year-on-year.
9. Paul Terstegge | CEO, Transavia
Scheduled seat capacity: 393,200
Paul Terstegge became CEO of Transavia on February 1, 2026, succeeding Marcel de Nooijer.
Before his appointment, he served as Executive Vice President of Inflight Services at KLM, where he managed one of the airline’s largest operational divisions. He also held international management roles and strategic positions within the Air France-KLM Group.
Terstegge is leading Transavia through a growth phase focused on route expansion, operational reliability, sustainability and customer experience. The airline also plans to modernise its fleet with quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft.
Transavia increased its seat capacity in Africa by 6.1%, rising from 370,600 seats in July 2025 to 393,200 in July 2026.
8. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum | Chairman and CEO, Emirates Group
Scheduled seat capacity: 429,400
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has led the Emirates Group since its establishment in 1985.
During his tenure, Emirates grew from a start-up airline operating two leased aircraft into one of the world’s largest international carriers. He has also played a central role in developing Dubai into a major global aviation hub.
Sheikh Ahmed studied political science at the University of Denver before beginning his aviation leadership career as President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation.
Emirates increased its African seat capacity by 8.9%, from 394,300 seats in July 2025 to 429,400 seats in July 2026.
7. Michael O’Leary | Group CEO, Ryanair
Scheduled seat capacity: 505,700
Michael O’Leary has spent several decades helping to transform Ryanair into Europe’s largest low-cost airline.
He studied business and economics at Trinity College Dublin before joining accounting firm Stokes Kennedy Crowley, which later became part of KPMG. While working there, he met Tony Ryan, the aviation entrepreneur who founded Guinness Peat Aviation.
O’Leary joined Ryanair as Chief Financial Officer in 1988, when the airline faced serious financial difficulties. He became CEO in 1994 and adopted a low-cost operating model inspired by Southwest Airlines in the United States.
His strategy focused on lower fares, strict cost control and rapid network expansion.
6. De Villiers Engelbrecht | CEO, Airlink
Scheduled seat capacity: 557,000
De Villiers Engelbrecht became CEO of Airlink in 2025 after spending more than 12 years as the airline’s Chief Financial Officer.
He joined the company in 2011 as Executive Manager for Corporate Services before becoming Financial Director and CFO in December 2012.
During his time in financial leadership, Engelbrecht helped strengthen Airlink’s finances, support fleet renewal and expand the company’s regional network. He also helped the airline navigate the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before joining Airlink, he spent 11 years at Coronation Capital, where he gained experience in investment management, corporate finance and strategic planning.
Airlink increased its seat capacity by 5.8%, from 526,300 seats in July 2025 to 557,000 seats in July 2026.
5. Hamza Benhamouda | CEO, Air Algérie
Scheduled seat capacity: 758,900
Hamza Benhamouda became CEO of Air Algérie in February 2024 following a leadership reshuffle approved by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Before joining the national carrier, he served as Director-General of Algeria’s National Civil Aviation Agency. In that role, he oversaw aviation regulation, industry development and safety.
Benhamouda took over Air Algérie as the airline continued its recovery from the financial damage caused by the pandemic. His regulatory and industry experience became important as Algeria worked to expand international connectivity and strengthen its aviation sector.
Air Algérie increased its seat capacity by 9.8%, from 691,200 seats to 758,900 within one year.
4. Abdelhamid Addou | Chairman and CEO, Royal Air Maroc
Scheduled seat capacity: 852,300
Abdelhamid Addou has built a career across aviation, tourism, telecommunications and consumer goods.
He began his professional journey in 1997 and later held senior positions at Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and Meditel, now known as Orange Morocco.
In 2008, King Mohammed VI appointed him to lead the Moroccan National Tourism Office. During his tenure, Addou helped implement Morocco’s Vision 2020 tourism strategy, which aimed to attract investment and position the country as a major global destination.
He became Chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc in 2016.
Addou is now overseeing an expansion designed to strengthen Royal Air Maroc’s international position ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
The airline increased its July seat capacity by 16.4% to 852,300.
3. Captain Ahmed Adel | Chairman and CEO, EgyptAir Holding Company
Scheduled seat capacity: 870,800
Captain Ahmed Adel joined EgyptAir as a pilot in 1988 and later became an instructor, examiner and senior aviation executive.
He became an Instructor Pilot and Examiner on the Airbus A330 and A340 fleets in 2007. In 2012, he obtained certification as an inspector from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority.
Adel has held several leadership positions within EgyptAir, including General Manager of Flight Training, Deputy Vice President of Operations and Vice Chairman of EgyptAir Express.
He also chaired the airline’s crisis management team following the EgyptAir Flight MS804 incident in 2016.
Adel became Chairman and CEO of EgyptAir Holding Company in June 2018.
EgyptAir increased its available seats by 9.5%, from 795,500 in July 2025 to 870,800 in July 2026.
2. Elmar Conradie | CEO, Safair and FlySafair
Scheduled seat capacity: 1,014,200
Elmar Conradie became CEO of Safair in March 2015 and has overseen the growth of its low-cost subsidiary, FlySafair.
He joined Safair Operations in 2005 as Financial Director and Chief Financial Officer.
Before joining the company, Conradie worked in investment banking, aircraft leasing and aviation finance. His previous roles included analyst at Macquarie, Group CFO at Aergo Capital and Aviation Division Group CFO at Imperial Group.
He is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Information Systems Auditor, combining financial management experience with aviation operations.
Under his leadership, FlySafair grew into South Africa’s leading domestic airline.
Safair retained its position as the second-largest airline serving Africa by scheduled seat capacity, recording 1,014,200 seats after annual growth of 2.1%.
1. Mesfin Tasew | Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines
Scheduled seat capacity: 2,136,300
Mesfin Tasew leads Ethiopian Airlines, the continent’s largest airline by scheduled seat capacity.
He joined the company in 1984 as an associate engineer after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Addis Ababa University. He later completed a master’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from the Open University in the United Kingdom.
Tasew rose through several leadership positions, including Director of Operations and Technical Systems Support, Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering.
From 2010 to 2021, he served as Ethiopian Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer and contributed to the carrier’s expansion into a global aviation group.
He later became CEO of ASKY Airlines before returning to Ethiopian Airlines as Group CEO in March 2022.
Ethiopian Airlines exceeded 2.1 million scheduled seats in July 2026 after increasing capacity by 12.1% year-on-year.
What the Ranking Shows About African Aviation
Ethiopian Airlines remains far ahead of its competitors by seat capacity, operating more than twice the capacity recorded by Safair in second place.
However, some smaller airlines are expanding more quickly. Air Peace recorded the fastest annual growth at 50.6%, while Royal Air Maroc increased capacity by 16.4%.
The list also shows that Africa’s aviation growth is attracting both African carriers and major international airlines. Companies such as Emirates, Ryanair and Transavia continue to expand their presence across the continent as passenger demand rises.
The next stage of competition will depend on which airlines can secure aircraft, improve reliability, control operating costs and build stronger connections between African cities.