Africa’s aviation scene has come a long way. Over the years, airlines across the continent have been spreading their wings, expanding their fleets, adding more routes, and stepping up their game in global air travel.
What once seemed like a slow climb for many African carriers has now become a race to secure a larger share of the skies. Central to measuring this growth is a crucial metric in the airline industry: Available Seat Miles (ASMs).
ASMs offer a more nuanced picture by considering both the number of seats an airline offers and the distances their flights cover. Airlines with a focus on long-haul travel with larger aircraft will naturally have higher ASMs compared to those serving primarily short-haul domestic routes with smaller planes.
The skies of April 2024 were dominated by North American carriers, with United Airlines (UA) retaining its crown as the world’s largest airline based on Available Seat Miles (ASMs). Boasting a staggering 25,586,308,401 ASMs, UA cemented its position as a global leader, showcasing its extensive network and ability to move passengers across vast distances.
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) led the carriers in Africa, with ASMs totalling 3,683,677,967 in April. EgyptAir (MS) and Royal Air Maroc (AT) further boosted Africa’s connectivity with 1,886,177,981 and 1,149,010,418 ASMs respectively.
Even smaller airlines like Air Mauritius (MK), Safair (FA), Tunisair (TU), and Airlink (4Z) continue to play a crucial role in connecting remote destinations and fostering economic growth across Africa.
Below are the top 10 largest airlines in Africa by available seat miles (ASMs) in 2024:
| Rank | Airlines | ASMs | Flights | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) |
3,683,677,967 |
11,179 |
1,986,929 |
|
2 |
EgyptAir (MS) |
1,886,177,981 |
7,158 |
1,295,578 |
|
3 |
Royal Air Maroc (AT) |
1,149,010,418 |
5,107 |
798,150 |
|
4 |
Kenya Airways (KQ) |
802,539,251 |
3,778 |
498,673 |
|
5 |
Air Algerie (AH) |
733,657,494 |
6,192 |
790,202 |
|
6 |
Air Cairo (SM) |
625,828,084 |
3,131 |
479,045 |
|
7 |
Air Mauritius (MK) |
512,510,072 |
1,081 |
181,892 |
|
8 |
Safair (FA) |
500,079,072 |
4,600 |
849,768 |
|
9 |
Tunisair (TU) |
337,159,289 |
1,890 |
349,068 |
|
10 |
Airlink (4Z) |
290,045,462 |
7,138 |
497,021 |
