Africa’s aviation industry is growing fast, thanks to the rising need for better connections both within the continent and to the rest of the world. Even though Africa represents a small portion of the global air market, it’s a vital link connecting regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
A big part of this growth comes from booming trade, business, and tourism. Some routes have now become extremely busy, reflecting just how connected Africa has become.
According to OAG Aviation’s 2024 Busiest Flight Routes Report, the Cairo–Jeddah route claims the top spot with over 5.4 million scheduled seats. Close behind is the Cairo–Riyadh route, which serves more than 3.1 million seats.
Similarly, the Cairo–Riyadh route follows closely, serving 3,151,116 seats. These routes exemplify Africa’s ability to connect major travel hubs across the Middle East and beyond.
These routes highlight Africa’s role as a bridge between major hubs in the Middle East and beyond. The report defines “busiest routes” as those with the most airline seats available in both directions, with data compiled from OAG’s monthly reports throughout the year. This provides a comprehensive view of route performance and emerging trends in international aviation.
Airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, EgyptAir, and South African Airways dominate these busy routes. Ethiopian Airlines, for example, has turned Addis Ababa into a top hub, connecting Africa to the rest of the world.
Below are the top 10 busiest international flight routes from Africa in 2024:
| Rank | Route | Route Name | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
CAI-JED |
Cairo – Jeddah |
5,469,274 |
|
2 |
CAI-RUH |
Cairo – Riyadh |
3,151,116 |
|
3 |
CAI-DXB |
Cairo – Dubai |
1,919,742 |
|
4 |
CAI-MED |
Cairo – Madinah |
1,844,795 |
|
5 |
CAI-KWI |
Cairo – Kuwait |
1,709,668 |
|
6 |
ALG-CDG |
Algiers – Paris CDG |
1,393,359 |
|
7 |
ADD-DXB |
Addis Ababa – Dubai |
1,177,914 |
|
8 |
ORY-RUN |
Paris Orly – St Denis |
1,085,706 |
|
9 |
CAI-DOH |
Cairo – Doha |
1,044,048 |
|
10 |
ALG-ORY |
Algiers – Paris Orly |
1,021,577 |
Africa’s growing middle class and improved tourism infrastructure are driving even more demand for air travel. But it’s not all smooth sailing. The sector still faces challenges like high fuel prices, limited intercontinental flights, and tricky regulatory hurdles.
High fuel costs, limited intercontinental routes, and regulatory barriers pose hurdles to seamless growth.
The potential is huge, Africa’s skies are getting busier, and the continent is on its way to becoming a major player in international air travel.
