At a Glance
- Passenger demand in Africa surges 13.6% in April, outpacing global air travel growth, says IATA.
- Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and SAA expand fleets, deepen global alliances for market dominance.
- Rising investor confidence, new routes, and modern aircraft fuel Africa’s competitive edge in aviation.
Africa’s aviation industry is charting a powerful ascent in 2025, driven by rising demand, strategic alliances, and bold fleet expansion.
The continent’s top airlines—including Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and South African Airways—are capitalizing on a post-pandemic rebound, outpacing global trends in passenger growth and route development.
African airlines posted a 13.6 percent surge in passenger demand year-on-year in April 2025, outpacing capacity growth of 8.9 percent, according to IATA.
The load factor jumped to 76.3 percent, up 3.1 percentage points from April 2024 — the strongest performance in over a year.
The rebound signals rising investor confidence, improving air travel recovery, and growing demand in Africa’s aviation market amid global capacity shifts.
These leading airlines are not just expanding—they’re transforming Africa’s global air presence through modern aircraft, seamless partnerships with global alliances, and increased access to key hubs across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Here’s a look at the five carriers propelling Africa’s aviation into a new era of global competitiveness.
Ethiopian Airlines: Africa’s aviation powerhouse
Ethiopian Airlines continues to dominate as Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier. With a fleet exceeding 150 modern aircraft and an average age of less than seven years.
The airline operates daily and multiple flights to 142 international passenger and cargo destinations—including 70 cities across Africa—with minimal layovers in Addis Ababa.
Recent plans include acquiring 20 regional jets to bolster domestic operations, evaluating models like the Airbus A220 and Embraer E-2 .
As a Star Alliance member, Ethiopian Airlines leverages global partnerships to enhance its international reach.
Royal Air Maroc: Bridging Africa and Europe
Morocco’s flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), operates an extensive network spanning 82 destinations across 41 countries, with frequent flights to major capitals in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, the Maghreb, and the Middle East.
Its primary hub is Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. The airline’s current fleet includes 54 aircraft, featuring Boeing 737s and 787s.
RAM aims to expand its fleet nearly fourfold to 200 planes by 2037, aligning with preparations for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
As a member of the Oneworld Alliance, RAM strengthens connectivity between Africa, Europe, and North America, cementing Casablanca’s role as a strategic aviation hub.
South African Airways (SAA): Revitalizing a national icon
SAA, a Star Alliance member and Africa’s most awarded airline, operates to 42 destinations worldwide, including daily nonstop flights from New York, and daily direct flights from Washington, DC (via Dakar) to Johannesburg.
Emerging from a significant restructuring, South African Airways (SAA) is on a path to recovery.
The airline currently operates a fleet of 20 aircraft, including wide-body A330s and long-range A340s, with plans to expand to 25 aircraft by the end of 2025.
SAA focuses on high-yield routes from Johannesburg and Cape Town, emphasizing customer experience and operational efficiency.
Kenya Airways: The pride of East Africa
Kenya Airways Plc, dubbed the “Pride of Africa,” operates flights to 45 destinations—37 within the continent—and serves more than 5 million passengers annually.
The SkyTeam Alliance member maintains a fleet of 37 aircraft, including Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and Embraer E190s, and is deepening its focus on intra-African connectivity and cargo services amid rising demand.
The airline, named Africa’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards in 2020, recently added Boeing 737-800s to support its regional growth strategy.
Kenya Airways also partnered with the Kenya Rugby Union as the official airline for the Simbas’ Rugby World Cup campaign.
RwandAir: Setting new standards in East Africa
RwandAir, which serves 25 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, plans to double its 14-aircraft fleet by 2026 as it pushes for greater operational efficiency and regional dominance.
The state-backed carrier is consolidating around three main aircraft types, including Airbus A330s and Boeing 737s, to cut costs and boost performance.
Backed by Rwanda’s political stability and a growing tourism sector, RwandAir is positioning itself as a rising force in African aviation.
As Africa’s aviation industry continues to ascend, these top five airlines exemplify the continent’s potential to become a significant player in global air travel.
Through strategic expansions, modern fleets, and robust alliances, they are not only recovering from past challenges but also setting new standards for excellence in the skies.
