Top 10 Busiest Airports in Africa: Which Ones Made the Cut?

Africa is a continent that is rapidly developing and growing in both commerce and tourism. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of airports across the continent in recent years. Among them are some of the busiest and most important airports in Africa, serving as vital gateways for international travel and regional connections. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 10 busiest airports in Africa.

1. O.R. Tambo International Airport

South Africa’s largest airport and the busiest airport in Africa is O.R. Tambo International Airport. Located in Johannesburg, the airport is named after the country’s renowned anti-apartheid activist, Oliver Tambo. The airport serves as a gateway to Africa and the rest of the world and handles approximately 20 million passengers annually, with flights to various African and international destinations.

2. Cairo International Airport

Cairo International Airport is the second busiest airport in Africa and the largest airport in Egypt. The airport is located in the Egyptian capital and serves as a gateway to the country’s famous tourist attractions. In 2017, it handled over 17 million passengers, connecting to several international and domestic destinations.

3. Bole International Airport

Bole International Airport is located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The airport is the third busiest airport in Africa and serves as the hub for Ethiopian Airlines, the continent’s largest airline. It handled over 12 million passengers in 2017, providing flights to various destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

4. Mohammed V International Airport

Mohammed V International Airport is the busiest airport in Morocco and the fourth busiest in Africa. Located in Casablanca, it is the main airport of the country, connecting to various domestic and international destinations in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. In 2017, the airport handled over 9.5 million passengers.

5. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, and is the busiest airport in East Africa. It handles over 7 million passengers annually, connecting Kenya to various regional and international destinations. In recent years, the airport underwent a major renovation and expansion to accommodate the increasing traffic and upgrade its facilities.

6. Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport is the second busiest airport in South Africa and the sixth busiest in Africa. Located in the city of Cape Town, the airport is a popular gateway to the country’s famous tourist attractions, including Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands. In 2017, the airport handled over 10 million passengers.

7. Hurghada International Airport

Hurghada International Airport is located in the Red Sea governorate of Egypt, a popular tourist destination. The airport handles close to 7 million passengers annually and serves various charter, low-cost, and scheduled flights to cities in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

8. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is located in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, and serves as the main gateway to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheikh. It handles over 5 million passengers annually, providing flights to various international destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

9. King Shaka International Airport

King Shaka International Airport is located in the city of Durban, South Africa, and serves as the transportation hub for the region. Named after the Zulu King, the airport handles over 5 million passengers annually and provides various domestic and international destinations.

10. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is located in the island nation of Mauritius, and it serves as the main gateway to the country. The airport handles over 4 million passengers annually, providing flights to various destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

In conclusion, these airports are the busiest and most important in Africa, providing vital gateways to the continent and the rest of the world. These airports are constantly undergoing upgrades and renovations to accommodate the increasing traffic and provide passengers with world-class facilities and services.