Top 10 Largest Airports in Africa

Africa is a continent with an emerging aviation industry, accounting for about only 3% of global air traffic. Despite its emergence, the continent has made major strides in developing airports of international standard as the continent positions itself to attract global investments and spur economic growth.

Here is the list of the 10 largest airports in Africa

1. Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg

Oliver Reginald Tambo International Airport (South Africa) is the largest airport in Africa. It was established in 1952 was formally called Johannesburg International Airport until 2006 when it was renamed after Oliver Reginald Tambo. ORT international airport is situated at Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. More than 50 percent of South Africa’s air travelling passengers are facilitated through the airport. It is the busiest airport in Africa with an annual operational capacity of 28,000,000 passengers.

2. Cairo International Airport

This is the busiest and largest airport in Egypt, handling about 175 passenger flights daily to about 84 destinations across the globe. This airport serves as the primary hub for EgyptAir, EgyptAir Express and Nile Air as well as several other airlines. The airport is located in Heliopolis, to the northeast of the Cairo around 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the business area of the city and has an area of approximately 37 square kilometres (14 sq mi). It is the second largest airport in Africa after OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

3. Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town International Airport is the primary international airport serving the city of Cape Town and is the second-biggest airport in South Africa and third in Africa. Located approximately 20 kilometers from the city Centre, it was opened in 1954 to replace Cape Town’s previous airport. This airport  is the only airport in Cape Town Metropolitan area that offers scheduled passenger services. It has domestic and international terminals linked by a common central terminal

4. King Shaka International Airport, Durban, South Africa

King Shaka International Airport opened in May 2010. This world class facility offers a host of features to make your traveling experience as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.

King Shaka International Airport, conjointly referred to as La Mercy Airport, is the major airport in the city of Durban, South Africa. Located at La Mercy, approximately thirty five kilometres north of the city centre .

King Shaka International Airport opened its doors to the general public on 1 May 2010,  a month before the beginning of the 2010 FIFA World Cup which was based in South Africa.

Shops and restaurants, a bank and post office are just a few additional features King Shaka International Airport has to offer. King Shaka International is said to be three times bigger than Durban International airport and have five times as many shops.

5. Sharm El-Sheikh international airport

The Sharm El-Sheikh international airport is considered to be the second largest airport in Egypt and 5th in Africa. The airport has approximately 10 million passenger traffic yearly. The airport is located in the heart of the resort area just near the Red Sea coast.

6. Hurghada International Airport

Hurghada International Airport is the major international airport serving Hurghada, a major tourist destination on Egypt’s eastern coast. The airport is among the busiest in Egypt, with frequent connections to Cairo as well as international services to destinations across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Sprawled 5km southwest of El Dahar, Hurghada Airport, the sixth on the log is currently served by one terminal. But plans are already in top gear to make it a cynosure of all eyes while passengers will have access to a wide variety of stores, duty-free boutiques and restaurants.

7. Mohammed V International Airport

It is an international airport serving Casablanca, Morocco. It is  located in Nouaceur Province and operated by ONDA (National Airports Office).  Casablanca airport is the 7th largest airport in Africa. It is the main hub for the national carrier Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc and RAM Express. In Africa, Casablanca airport is between the five busiest airports in the continent. with just under 10,306,293 passengers in 2019. 

8. Murtala Mohammed International Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the entire state. Situated in the town of Ikeja, Lagos State, it is a bustling gateway to the vibrant energy of Nigeria. Originally built in 1947, the Murtala Muhammed Airport now welcomes over 7 million travellers through its doors.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (IATA code: LOS), is the largest and busiest airport in Nigeria and 8th largest in Africa. It is the hub for Arik Air, Air Peace and Med-View Airline.

9. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

JKIA Is an international airport in Nairobi, the capital of and largest city in Kenya. It is the 9th largest airport in Africa and is located in the Embakasi suburb 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast of Nairobi’s central business district. Originally named Embakasi Airport, the airport’s name was changed in 1978 to honor Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president and prime minister. The airport served over 7 million passengers in 2016,making it the seventh busiest airport in passenger traffic on the continent.

10.Port Elizabeth International Airport

The Port Elizabeth Airport is also known as the Ten Minute Airport as it is in the perfect central location. It is called the Ten Minute Airport as it is less than a ten minute drive from most of the major areas within the city. The airport is about two miles south of the city’s central business district which is perfect for those business travellers. The airport in Port Elizabeth actually serves more than 1 million people each year.