Top 15 Busiest Airports in Africa 2024

The busiest airports in Africa have been ranked based on the number of daily flights. Below is a detailed look at the top 15 busiest airports on the continent in 2024.

Top 15 Busiest Airports in Africa

1. Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)

Located in South Africa, Johannesburg International Airport is the busiest airport in Africa, handling an average of 251 flights daily. It operates from two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B. The most frequented route from this airport is to Cape Town, with 300 weekly flights, accounting for 17% of all weekly departures. Key international destinations from Johannesburg include Harare (HRE) and Lusaka (LUN). Airlink leads in departures from Johannesburg, with about 657 scheduled take-offs per week.

2. Cairo International Airport

Cairo International Airport in Egypt ranks second, with 243 flights daily. It operates from four terminals: Terminal 1, 2, 3, and S. The busiest route is to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, featuring 211 weekly flights, which comprise 12% of all weekly departures. Popular domestic routes include Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm el Sheikh (SSH). EgyptAir is the leading airline here, with 734 weekly departures.

3. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia is the third busiest, handling 194 flights daily. It operates from two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The busiest route is to Bahar Dar (BJR) with 106 weekly flights, making up 7% of weekly departures. Key international destinations include Dubai (DXB) and Rome (FCO). Ethiopian Airlines dominates with around 1,364 weekly take-offs.

4. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi records approximately 123 flights daily. Flights operate from five terminals: Terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 2. The most frequented route is to Mombasa (MBA), with 147 weekly flights, which account for 17% of all weekly departures. Major international routes include Kigali (KGL) and Entebbe (EBB). Kenya Airways leads in departures, with 405 weekly take-offs.

5. Mohammed V International Airport

Located in Casablanca, Morocco, Mohammed V International Airport handles about 104 flights daily. It has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The busiest route is to Paris Orly (ORY), with 46 weekly flights, making up 6% of weekly departures. Domestic routes such as Marrakech (RAK) and Agadir (AGA) are also popular. Royal Air Maroc leads with 559 weekly take-offs.

6. Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport in South Africa is the second largest in the country, operating 103 flights daily. The busiest route is to Johannesburg (JNB), with 301 weekly flights, which constitute 41% of weekly departures. Key international destinations include Windhoek (WDH) and Dubai (DXB). Safair is the leading airline, with 268 weekly take-offs.

7. Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS)

Located in Lagos, Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed International Airport manages 101 flights daily. It operates from two terminals, Terminal D and Terminal I. The busiest route is to Abuja (ABV) with 178 weekly flights, comprising 25% of weekly departures. Important international destinations include Accra (ACC) and Doha (DOH). Air Peace leads with 193 weekly departures.

8. Houari Boumediene Airport

In Algiers, Algeria, Houari Boumediene Airport handles approximately 100 flights daily, operating from four terminals: Terminal 3, D, I, and W. The busiest route is to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) with 69 weekly flights, making up 9% of weekly departures. Domestically, popular destinations include Oran (ORN) and Constantine (CZL). Air Algerie is the leading airline with 509 weekly take-offs.

9. Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN)

Tunis–Carthage International Airport in Tunisia manages 83 flights daily, served by 26 airlines to 65 destinations. The busiest route is to Mitiga, Tripoli (MJI), with 52 weekly flights, comprising 9% of weekly departures. Domestic routes include Djerba (DJE) and Sfax (SFA). Tunisair is the main airline, with 210 weekly take-offs.

10. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

In Abuja, Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport handles 79 flights daily, operating from four terminals: Terminal B, C, D, and E. The busiest route is to Lagos (LOS) with 178 weekly flights, accounting for 32% of weekly departures. Key international destinations include Accra (ACC) and Lome (LFW). Air Peace is the leading airline with 149 weekly take-offs.

11. Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)

Marrakech Menara Airport in Morocco handles 79 flights daily. The busiest route is to Paris Orly (ORY) with 45 weekly flights, comprising 8% of all departures. Domestically, Casablanca (CMN) and Fes (FEZ) are popular destinations. Ryanair is the largest airline at Marrakech Menara, with 181 weekly take-offs.

12. Dar Es Salaam (DAR)

Dar Es Salaam International Airport in Tanzania accommodates 75 flights daily, operating from three terminals. The busiest route is to Zanzibar (ZNZ) with 173 weekly departures, making up 33% of weekly flights. Key international destinations include Nairobi (NBO) and Addis Ababa (ADD). Air Tanzania leads with 148 weekly take-offs.

13. Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)

Zanzibar International Airport in Tanzania handles 70 flights daily from two terminals. The busiest route is to Dar Es Salaam (DAR) with 221 weekly departures, accounting for 42% of weekly flights. Frequent international destinations include Nairobi (NBO) and Mombasa (MBA). Auric Air leads with 123 weekly take-offs.

14. Kotoka International Airport

In Accra, Ghana, Kotoka International Airport manages 57 flights daily from three terminals. The busiest route is to Kumasi (KMS) with 88 weekly departures, representing 22% of weekly flights. Major international destinations include Lagos (LOS) and Abidjan (ABJ). Africa World Airlines is the leading airline with 117 weekly take-offs.

15. Durban International Airport

Durban International Airport in South Africa handles 55 flights daily. The busiest route is to Johannesburg (JNB) with 204 weekly departures, comprising over 55% of weekly flights. Key international destinations include Dubai and Harare. Safair is the leading airline with 205 weekly take-offs.