Articles & White Papers

Morocco’s aviation landscape saw a notable shift in Q1 2026, with Marrakech Menara Airport overtaking Mohammed V International Airport as the country’s busiest airport by seat capacity, driven by strong European leisure demand and low-cost carrier expansion. While Casablanca maintained its role as a major intercontinental hub with significant intra-African connectivity, Marrakech emerged as a high-growth, tourism-focused gateway with rapidly increasing capacity and a predominantly Europe-oriented network. The analysis highlights contrasting trends—declining capacity in Casablanca versus steady growth in Marrakech—alongside differences in network structure, airline competition, and fleet deployment. Overall, the findings reflect a broader structural shift in Morocco’s aviation sector, where leisure-driven traffic is increasingly shaping capacity dynamics alongside traditional hub operations.

Entebbe International Airport recorded stable but mixed performance in Q1 2026, handling 733,810 seats and 541,454 passengers, with a load factor of 73.8%. While overall passenger traffic declined slightly compared to 2025, growth in transit and domestic segments signaled improving regional connectivity. Cargo volumes, however, dropped significantly, highlighting weaker trade activity despite increased aircraft movements. The airport’s network remained strongly linked to regional hubs such as Addis Ababa and Nairobi, with Ethiopian Airlines and Uganda Airlines leading capacity. Overall, the performance reflects a resilient but transitional phase, with growth opportunities in transit traffic and regional integration, alongside challenges in cargo and long-haul demand.

In Q1 2026, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) recorded 2.36 million seats, averaging about 26,269 daily, reinforcing its role as a key East African hub. Capacity peaked in January before gradually declining into March due to factors such as the KAWU strike and Middle East geopolitical tensions, which disrupted some international routes.

Cape Town International Airport recorded strong and stable performance in Q1 2026, handling 3.65 million airline seats and averaging over 40,600 daily seats, reaffirming its position as the second busiest airport in South Africa. Capacity remained resilient throughout the quarter despite global geopolitical tensions, with January leading in volume and only minor day-to-day fluctuations observed.

Cairo International Airport handled 9.24 million seats in Q1 2026, averaging over 102,000 daily, maintaining its position as Africa’s busiest airport and a key intercontinental hub. Capacity peaked in January but softened in March due to Middle East geopolitical disruptions, although demand remained strong, supported by rising passenger traffic and record operational performance.

O.R. Tambo International Airport recorded strong and stable performance in Q1 2026, handling 6.57 million airline seats and maintaining its position as the leading hub in Sub-Saharan Africa and second busiest on the continent after Cairo International Airport. Capacity remained consistent throughout the quarter, with January leading, indicating resilience despite global geopolitical tensions.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport handled 5.94 million seats in Q1 2026, averaging about 66,000 daily, reinforcing its role as a key African hub. Capacity peaked in January but declined in March due to Middle East disruptions that forced Ethiopian Airlines to suspend multiple routes and cancel over 100 weekly flights.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport recorded 2.33 million airline seats in Q1 2026, averaging about 25,900 daily seats, reinforcing its position as West Africa’s leading aviation hub. Capacity remained stable throughout the quarter despite global geopolitical uncertainties, with January leading and only normal seasonal fluctuations observed.

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