Top 10 Airports in Africa – International

The number of airports in Africa is growing as the continent wakes up to engage in international travel. Air traffic has dramatically increased on the continent in the last 10 years, leading to improvements in the number of existing international airports and the construction of new ones.

In the past, most African countries had one, two, or three international airports, but this number has been gradually increasing recently. There are several African airports worth mentioning when considering the top 10 best airports in Africa.

Here are the best international airports in Africa

10. PORT ELIZABETH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SOUTH AFRICA

Located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, it’s one of the best airports in Africa. Known as the “Ten Minute Airport,” it is owned by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and is just a five-minute drive from the central business district and the beach. It is no more than ten minutes’ drive from other key areas of the city.

Port Elizabeth International Airport currently transports more than a million passengers per year and over 800 tons of cargo, including flowers, frozen lobster, etc. With the modern terminal upgrade, the airport can accommodate up to 2 million passengers per year.

9. JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NAIROBI, KENYA

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Kenya’s largest airport and the busiest airport in East and Central Africa. It is located 18 kilometers east of the capital, Nairobi, and is served by 49 airlines with direct flights to Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and other African countries.

The airport transports over 5 million passengers each year. Post, bank, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, VIP lounge, duty-free shop, newsagent/tobacconist, ATM, currency exchange, tourist information, car rental, taxi service/rank, first aid, disabled access/facilities, baby/parent room, business center are just some of the many facilities available to you. The airport has been partially expanded to double its capacity, along with a planned railway link.

8. MURTALA MUHAMMED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Located in Lagos is West Africa’s busiest airport: Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The airport was officially opened on March 15, 1979.

With national and international terminals, it transports over 100,000 aircraft and more than 6 million passengers each year. Major airlines such as Emirates, Ocean Air, Delta, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM, and China Southern Airlines all have landing rights at Nigeria’s largest international airport.

7. MOHAMMED V INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Mohammed V International Airport (airport code CMN) is located in Morocco, about 30 kilometers southeast of Casablanca. It is operated by ONDA (National Airports Office). It’s the busiest airport in Morocco, with almost 7.25 million passengers per year.

Each week, there are about 182 flights to Paris, over 17 flights to New York, and more than 14 flights to Dubai and Frankfurt. Casablanca is one of the main commercial and industrial cities in the southern Mediterranean. It is expected that cargo traffic will drastically increase in the coming years.

6. SHARM EL-SHEIKH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Sharm el Sheikh, EGYPT

Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport is located about 18 kilometers northeast of the city of Sharm El Sheikh and is considered the second-largest airport in Egypt (after Cairo). The airport has about 10 million passengers annually.

The airport is located in the heart of the resort area near the Red Sea coast. The Egyptian Airports Holding Company announced plans to build a third new terminal at the airport, which will double the capacity from 7.5 to 15 million passengers per year.

The main air traffic consists of seasonal charter flights from Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavian and Baltic countries, Russia, and CIS countries. The airport’s infrastructure has been constantly improved to enhance the quality of passenger services.

5. HURGHADA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, HURGHADA, EGYPT

Hurghada International Airport is located in the hinterland: about 5 km southwest of the city of Hurghada in the El Dahar district. The flight facility serves Hurghada, the center of the Egyptian Red Sea, the seaport city of Safaga, and many other amazing beaches and water sports resorts on the Red Sea like Al Quseir, Soma Bay, El Gouna, Al-Mahmya, Sharm El Naga, and Makadi Bay.

The airport is currently served by one terminal. With the construction of a new terminal complex with an annual passenger capacity of 7.5 million, currently in operation, passengers gain access to a variety of shops, duty-free boutiques, and restaurants. Over 40 aircraft provide seasonal charter flights to cities in Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and the CIS. Nowadays, the airport has been massively renovated to accommodate the dramatically increasing leisure traffic.

4. CAIRO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CAIRO, EGYPT

Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s largest airport and is on the list of Africa’s most visited airports, with over 65 airlines per year. It is located northeast of the city, about 15 kilometers from the city’s business district, and covers an area of about 37 square kilometers.

The airport has three terminals and a new cargo terminal was recently built. The airport is managed by the Egyptian Holding Co. for Airports and Aviation (EHCAAN), which controls four other companies. The airport has four terminals. Terminal 1 transports both domestic and international travelers. Terminal 3 and the Seasonal Terminal were opened in 2008 and 2011, respectively. The Seasonal Terminal was built to alleviate congestion during the holy Hajj pilgrimages.

3. KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

King Shaka International Airport, opened in May 2010 and also known as La Mercy Airport, is the main airport in Durban, South Africa. About 35 km north of the city of Durban, this world-class facility offers a variety of amenities to make your journey as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

King Shaka International is reportedly three times as large as Durban Airport and has five times as many shops. With a floor area of 102,000 square meters in its passenger terminal, it currently handles about 5 million passengers per year. However, the airport can accommodate 7.5 million passengers and offers plenty of room for future expansions if needed.

2. CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town International Airport is Africa’s second-largest airport, located about 20 km from the city center. It has earned a reputation as Africa’s premier international award-winning and VIP travel destination and consistently ranks among the world’s best in its category.

In 2015, 14 million passengers passed through Cape Town International, and generally, Cape Town has many tourist attractions, so you might want to travel through Cape Town on your next trip.

1. OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Described as Africa’s busiest airport, OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. ORTIA caters to over 21 million passengers each year and serves as a major hub for air travel across Southern Africa and the rest of the continent. This airport is named after Oliver Tambo, a former president of the African National Congress.

The airport is spread over 5,600 acres of land and has two runways and six terminals. It also houses over a hundred and thirty different airlines. From OR Tambo International, travelers can fly directly to all six inhabited continents.

The airport has been awarded several international awards for its high-quality services. It provides a wide array of amenities, including shopping and dining options, car rental services, banking services, and premier lounges for passengers.

To cater to the increasing demand, significant expansions and upgrades are planned for the OR Tambo International Airport to increase its capacity and improve its services. This includes a new runway and the expansion of the terminal buildings.

It’s also worth noting that South Africa has the most representation in this list, signaling its significant role in Africa’s air travel industry. Its three largest airports, OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, and King Shaka International, consistently rank among the best in the continent.

Please note that this list is subjective and might change over time as more investments and improvements are made in Africa’s aviation industry. Africa is a rapidly growing travel destination, and its airports are continuously improving to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and meet international standards. Check out more interesting topics at our Trust Hot Mart blog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airports In Africa

• What is the largest airport in Africa?

The largest airport in Africa is OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

• Which African airport has the most international connections?

OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, has the most international connections. It hosts airlines from all five continents.

• What facilities are available at OR Tambo International Airport?

OR Tambo International Airport boasts an impressive infrastructure with many facilities. It has a recent infrastructure upgrade that allows it to handle up to 28 million passengers per year.

• What is the capacity of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya?

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has a capacity of handling over 5 million passengers each year. It’s the busiest airport in the East and Central African region.

• How many airports are there in South Africa that are recognized internationally?

The content mentions four international airports in South Africa: OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, and Port Elizabeth International Airport.

• What are the significant upgrades planned for the OR Tambo International Airport?

OR Tambo International Airport recently had infrastructure upgrades that now allow it to handle up to 28 million passengers per year.

• Why is OR Tambo International Airport named so?

The airport is named in honor of one of the founding fathers of the new South Africa, Oliver Reginald Tambo, fondly referred to as O.R. by his colleagues.

• How does the Cairo International Airport rank among the busiest airports in Africa?

Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s largest airport and one of Africa’s busiest, serving over 65 airlines per year.

• What are the amenities available at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa?

King Shaka International Airport offers a range of amenities to make travelers’ journeys as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

• How has the increase in air traffic affected African airports in the past decade?

The increase in air traffic has led to significant improvements and expansions in the number of existing international airports and the construction of new airports in Africa.