Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA): Q1 2026 Airline Capacity Analysis

Introduction.

In the first quarter of 2026, Cairo International Airport reaffirmed its position as Africa’s busiest aviation hub, recording a total of 9,243,940 airline seats and an average daily capacity of approximately 102,710 seats. This strong performance reflects the airport’s strategic role as a key intercontinental gateway linking Africa with Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Capacity peaked on 3 January 2026, with 118,960 seats, while the lowest daily volume was recorded on 3 March 2026, with 69,708 seats, largely influenced by operational disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Iran–Israel conflict, which affected regional airspace and reduced flight frequencies.

Monthly distribution trends further illustrate this dynamic. January 2026 recorded the highest capacity with 3,377,623 seats, followed by February, while March experienced a relative decline, operating below the quarterly daily average due to schedule adjustments and cautious airline capacity deployment amid heightened uncertainty.

Beyond capacity metrics, operational performance remained robust. On 14 February 2026, the airport handled a record 737 flights within a 24-hour period, processing 111,212 passengers, including 584 international flights (96,156 passengers) and 132 domestic flights (15,020 passengers), alongside cargo and special movements. This milestone underscores Cairo’s operational efficiency and growing demand. Complementing this, industry data indicates that Cairo recorded approximately 1.75 million departing international seats in January 2026, a 10.3% year-on-year increase, placing it ahead of other major African hubs such as Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and O. R. Tambo International Airport.