Airports in Africa — Complete Guide
Comprehensive directory of airports across Africa with passenger statistics, IATA codes, and detailed travel guides.
Africa represents one of aviation's last great growth frontiers, with passenger numbers projected to double in the next 15 years. Currently, the continent's busiest airports include Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Cairo International, and Casablanca Mohammed V, which serve as connecting hubs between Africa and the rest of the world. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest and most profitable carrier, has transformed Addis Ababa Bole Airport into a major transit hub connecting 130+ destinations across five continents. The African continent faces unique challenges including aging infrastructure, high taxes on aviation fuel, and restrictive bilateral air service agreements, but the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative aims to liberalize intra-African flights. Major airport expansion projects are underway in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra.
Top 9 Busiest Airports in Africa
| Rank | Airport | Code | Country | City | Passengers/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cairo International Airport | CAI | Egypt | Cairo | 22,000,000 |
| 2 | OR Tambo International Airport | JNB | South Africa | Johannesburg | 22,000,000 |
| 3 | Cape Town International Airport | CPT | South Africa | Cape Town | 11,000,000 |
| 4 | Mohammed V International Airport | CMN | Morocco | Casablanca | 10,000,000 |
| 5 | Hurghada International Airport | HRG | Egypt | Hurghada | 8,500,000 |
| 6 | Marrakech Menara Airport | RAK | Morocco | Marrakech | 7,000,000 |
| 7 | King Shaka International Airport | DUR | South Africa | Durban | 6,000,000 |
| 8 | Sharm El Sheikh Airport | SSH | Egypt | Sharm El Sheikh | 5,500,000 |
| 9 | Agadir Al Massira Airport | AGA | Morocco | Agadir | 2,500,000 |