In Summary
- Cairo International Airport leads the continent with 18.7 million passengers based on the latest record available.
- Egypt stands out as the only country with three airports in the top 10 — Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Hurghada — all driven by strong tourism and infrastructure.
- Notably, all five major African regions — North, West, East, Central, and Southern — are represented in the rankings, signaling balanced aviation development across the continent.
Deep Dive!
What do Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa all have in common in 2025? Their airports are the heartbeat of a fast-moving continent.
Africa’s aviation sector is not just recovering from the global disruptions of past years — it’s evolving at full speed. More people are flying for work, tourism, education, and migration, while governments continue investing in airport infrastructure and regional connectivity. The result? A sharp rise in passenger traffic across the continent. From Cairo’s sky-high passenger numbers to Cape Town’s tourist-driven growth, these airports are now playing a central role in connecting Africa to the rest of the world. Here’s a look at the ten busiest airports in Africa going into 2025 — based on the most recent official passenger figures from airport authorities and ACI reports.
10. Houari Boumediene Airport (Algiers, Algeria)
Algeria’s Houari Boumediene Airport handled over 7 million passengers, making it the tenth busiest in Africa. It serves as the country’s primary international gateway and is a major hub for Air Algérie. Its strategic location in North Africa makes it a vital link between Africa and Europe, with strong passenger traffic from France, Spain, and Italy. The airport recently upgraded its facilities, including the addition of a modern terminal designed to handle up to 10 million passengers per year. This points to Algeria’s ambitions to become a more competitive player in African aviation.
9. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya)
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport recorded 7.84 million passengers, positioning it as East Africa’s busiest and most significant hub. It serves as the main entry point into Kenya and supports tourism, trade, and business travel across the region. Nairobi’s geographic location makes it a convenient transit stop between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The airport also handles substantial cargo traffic and is home to Kenya Airways, which connects the city to dozens of destinations globally. Expansion plans are ongoing, aiming to improve capacity and modernize terminal operations.
8. Mohammed V International Airport (Casablanca, Morocco)
With 8.68 million passengers, Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport is Morocco’s busiest and one of the most prominent in North Africa. It serves as a strategic hub for Royal Air Maroc and is well-known for its extensive network linking West Africa to Europe and the Americas. The airport plays a critical role in connecting Francophone African countries to major global markets. It is also one of the few African airports with direct flights to destinations such as Canada and Brazil. Casablanca’s airport has been instrumental in boosting Morocco’s regional influence in aviation.
7. Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos, Nigeria)
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos handled 8.24 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in West Africa. It serves as Nigeria’s primary international gateway and plays a central role in connecting West African travelers to Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of Africa. Lagos Airport processes more than two-thirds of Nigeria’s international passenger traffic and remains a vital link for business and migrant travel. Despite long-standing infrastructure challenges, the airport continues to experience steady growth, with upgrades and private investments aiming to modernize its terminals and operations.
6. Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town, South Africa)
Cape Town International Airport exceeded 10 million passengers in the 2023/2024 financial year, marking a strong post-pandemic recovery. As South Africa’s second-busiest airport, it is a major destination for both international tourists and domestic travelers. Its popularity is largely tied to the Western Cape’s booming tourism industry, with strong seasonal traffic from Europe and the United States. The airport has consistently received international recognition for service quality and cleanliness, and it has won awards for being one of Africa’s best airports. Cape Town’s success reflects the strength of South Africa’s tourism sector and efficient airport management.
5. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport welcomed 12.1 million passengers, maintaining its place among Africa’s most important aviation hubs. Located near the heart of the continent, it is the main base for Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing carriers. Bole Airport has developed into a key transit point between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, especially for connecting flights. Its expansion over the years has included a new terminal and improved logistics, allowing it to handle more passengers and international cargo. Addis Ababa’s role as a diplomatic capital further increases its importance in air travel.
4. OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa)
OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg handled 12.27 million passengers making it the busiest airport in Southern Africa. It has long been Africa’s most well-developed aviation hub and remains one of only a few on the continent with direct flights to every inhabited continent. The airport supports both business travel and tourism, with a large volume of domestic and international flights. OR Tambo is also South Africa’s primary cargo hub and a key connector for long-haul routes. Its continued relevance shows the strength of South Africa’s air transport infrastructure and international partnerships.
3. Hurghada International Airport (Hurghada, Egypt)
Hurghada International Airport served 12.35 million passengers, driven mainly by European tourism to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts. The airport is a vital gateway for charter and seasonal flights, especially from countries such as Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom. It has benefited from consistent upgrades and tourism-friendly policies that have made it one of Egypt’s fastest-growing air hubs. Hurghada’s popularity among foreign travelers keeps its numbers high, even though it primarily operates point-to-point leisure traffic rather than complex hub operations.
2. Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt)
With 13.15 million passengers, Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport ranks second in Africa by passenger traffic. Located on the Sinai Peninsula, this airport is central to Egypt’s tourism economy, especially for package holidays and seasonal travelers from Europe. The airport has seen significant infrastructure investments, especially around major events such as the COP27 climate summit, which temporarily boosted international traffic and capacity. Sharm El-Sheikh has grown into a major international destination, known for its sunny climate, diving resorts, and streamlined tourist processing.
1. Cairo International Airport (Cairo, Egypt)
Cairo International Airport tops the list with 18.7 million passengers making it Africa’s busiest airport. It serves as Egypt’s primary gateway and is a central hub for both domestic and international travel. With three major terminals and extensive flight connections to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and other African countries, Cairo is a critical link in global air transport. Its role has been strengthened by national carriers and continued airport investments. Cairo’s passenger growth reflects Egypt’s broader economic revival, increased tourism, and rising regional influence.
