At a Glance
- African airlines carried 98 million passengers in 2024, signaling strong post-pandemic recovery momentum.
- State-backed fleet renewal and airport upgrades are reshaping Africa’s regional and long-haul air connectivity.
- Cargo operations provide revenue stability as leading carriers expand logistics and intercontinental networks.
Africa’s aviation industry is rebounding strongly, led by the biggest aviation carriers in Africa, as passenger traffic, cargo demand and government investment accelerate growth across the continent.
In 2024, African airlines carried an estimated 98 million passengers, representing a 13.2 percent increase from the previous year. The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) forecasts passenger traffic for African airlines will reach 113 million by the end of 2025, underscoring sustained recovery momentum.
The recovery is being driven by rising mobility, a fast-expanding middle class, and renewed state backing for national flag carriers after years of pandemic-induced disruption.
Governments are prioritizing fleet renewal, airport modernization and regional connectivity, while leading airlines expand long-haul routes linking Africa to Europe, Asia and North America.
Cargo operations have also emerged as a critical revenue stabilizer, especially for airlines with diversified logistics arms.
At the center of this resurgence are a handful of dominant airlines combining scale, state support and strategic ambition.
These carriers are reshaping Africa’s air transport landscape and strengthening the continent’s global connectivity.
Below are the 10 largest aviation carriers in Africa, ranked by scale, reach and economic weight, according to Shore Africa.
1. Ethiopian Airlines Group
Africa’s largest and most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airlines operates more than 150 aircraft, serving 19.1 million passengers in 2024/25. With $7.6 billion in revenue, a vast cargo arm, and Star Alliance membership, it anchors Africa’s global air connectivity.
2. EgyptAir
Egypt’s flag carrier operates a 67-aircraft fleet, carrying 10.3 million passengers in 2024. With revenues of $2.3 billion, EgyptAir benefits from strong domestic demand and Cairo’s position as a regional transit hub.
3. Royal Air Maroc
Morocco’s national airline flies 60 aircraft and carried 7.5 million passengers in 2024. Posting $2.2 billion in revenue, it is expanding aggressively across Africa, Europe, and the Americas from its Casablanca hub.
4. Air Algérie
Operating 57 aircraft, Air Algérie carried about 8 million passengers in 2024. The airline plays a strategic role in domestic and regional connectivity while undergoing gradual fleet renewal.
5. Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways operates 42 aircraft and transported 5.2 million passengers in 2024. After years of restructuring, the Nairobi-based carrier is stabilizing operations and rebuilding its pan-African network.
6. South African Airways (SAA)
SAA is steadily rebuilding after years of losses, operating a leaner fleet focused on profitable regional and long-haul routes, leveraging Johannesburg as Southern Africa’s primary aviation hub. South African Airways (SAA) by the prestigious 2025 Skytrax Awards, SAA was ranked the fourth-best airline in Africa, a significant rise reflecting its recovery.
7. Air Peace
Nigeria’s largest airline by fleet size has rapidly expanded across domestic and international routes, including the Lagos–London corridor, positioning itself as West Africa’s most ambitious private carrier. Founded in 2013 by Allen Onyema, Air Peace operates a fleet of about 40 aircraft. The airline ranks sixth across Sub-Saharan Africa, serving 20 destinations, and covering 19 cities in Nigeria and 11 cities across nine other countries, including the UK, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Benin, and Guinea.
8. RwandAir
Backed by the Rwandan government, RwandAir operates a modern fleet and leverages Kigali as a strategic transit hub, with long-haul routes supporting Rwanda’s tourism and trade ambitions.
9. Tunisair
Tunisair remains a key North African carrier, serving Europe and regional markets. While facing financial pressures, it plays a vital role in Tunisia’s tourism-dependent economy.
10. TAAG Angola Airlines
TAAG operates long-haul routes to Europe and Brazil, supporting Angola’s trade links. Fleet modernization and restructuring efforts aim to restore profitability and regional relevance.
