During the festive season, airports across Africa and around the world record high numbers of departing seats and travellers, as families, groups, and friends reunite or embark on holiday trips.

Members of the diaspora also return home for the holidays and the New Year.

According to aviation industry analytics based on one-way departing seats scheduled for December 2025, Cairo International Airport has emerged as Africa’s busiest airport.

Here is a list of the top ten busiest airports in Africa in 2025:

International air passenger throughput on track for strong 2024 performance

1. Cairo International Airport

Cairo handled approximately 1.7 million departing seats during the month, representing a 7.8 percent increase compared to December 2024.

This places Cairo International Airport at the top of Africa’s busiest airports by departing seat capacity in December 2025, consolidating its position as the continent’s largest aviation hub amid rising travel demand.



2. Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport

O.R. Tambo International Airport ranked second among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 1,224,799 seats.

This was up from 1,146,425 seats in December 2024, representing a 6.8 percent increase. It is South Africa’s largest airport and the main hub for South African Airways, connecting Johannesburg to all six inhabited continents.

The airport has separate international and domestic terminals.



3. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport ranked third among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 1,173,631 seats.

This was up from 1,112,537 seats in December 2024, reflecting a 5.5 percent increase.

It is Ethiopia’s main international gateway and the primary hub for Ethiopian Airlines, connecting Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.



4. Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport ranked fourth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 684,337 seats.

This was up from 582,622 seats in December 2024, representing a 17.5 percent increase. It is Morocco’s main aviation hub, connecting Casablanca to more than 96 destinations worldwide through about 50 airlines.



5. Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport ranked fifth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 663,879 seats.

This was up from 629,456 seats in December 2024, a 5.5 percent increase. It is South Africa’s second-busiest airport, linking the Western Cape to domestic and international destinations.



6. Marrakech Menara International Airport

Marrakech Menara International Airport ranked sixth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 587,925 seats.

This was up from 517,393 seats in December 2024, a 13.6 percent increase.

It serves as the main international gateway to Marrakech, connecting the city to destinations across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.



7. Houari Boumediene International Airport

Houari Boumediene International Airport ranked seventh among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 552,147 seats.

This was up from 501,896 seats in December 2024, representing a 10 percent increase.

The airport is Algeria’s main international gateway, connecting Algiers to more than 80 destinations through 26 airlines.



8. Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ranked eighth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 505,114 seats.

This was slightly up from 504,122 seats in December 2024, representing a marginal 0.2 percent increase, the smallest year-on-year growth among the top 10 airports.

It is Kenya’s primary international gateway, connecting Nairobi to destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.



9. Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport ranked ninth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 495,635 seats.

This was up from 489,385 seats in December 2024, representing a 1.3 percent increase. It is Nigeria’s busiest airport and the country’s main international gateway, linking Lagos to destinations across Africa, Europe, and North America.



10. Hurghada International Airport

Hurghada International Airport ranked tenth among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats in December 2025, recording 469,149 seats.

This was up from 443,629 seats in December 2024, representing a 5.8 percent increase.



SP/MA

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