Africa’s aviation industry is entering one of its most significant periods of expansion in more than a decade, according to a new white paper launched today at ITB Berlin by the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA®).
The report, Africa in the Air, reveals that international seat capacity across the continent has risen by 18.6% year‑on‑year in 2026, with 182.4 million departure seats scheduled in the first ten months alone — a 13.7% increase on 2025. International routes are driving the surge, while domestic growth remains more modest.
The white paper draws on exclusive OAG data alongside IATA and UN Tourism figures, highlighting how improved airlift is directly fuelling tourism growth and opening new opportunities for airlines, investors and governments. Eastern Africa is currently the fastest‑growing sub‑region, with Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa leading the expansion. ATTA® notes that this momentum builds on Africa’s position as the world’s fastest‑growing tourism region in 2025, when international arrivals rose by 10% — double the global average.
The report also acknowledges the geopolitical instability in the Gulf region, which is expected to reshape global airspace patterns. While disruptions may affect oil prices, insurance and routing, ATTA® argues that African hubs such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Johannesburg are becoming increasingly strategic as airlines seek resilient alternatives. Aviation specialists quoted in the white paper suggest that ongoing conflict could accelerate the shift, with Ethiopia and Istanbul positioned to benefit from rerouted east‑west traffic.
Infrastructure investment is another major theme. Ethiopia’s $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport, set to open in 2030 with capacity for up to 110 million passengers, and Angola’s new Agostinho Neto International Airport, which opened for international operations in 2025, signal a continent‑wide commitment to modernising aviation. Morocco, Rwanda and South Africa are also advancing major upgrades.
Despite the strong trajectory, ATTA® stresses that structural challenges remain, including high taxation, bottlenecks at certain airports, slow progress on pan‑African open skies agreements and complex visa regimes. The association argues that coordinated action between governments, airlines and tourism bodies will be essential to sustaining long‑term growth.
For business travellers, the findings point to a rapidly improving landscape. Increased international capacity means greater route choice, more competitive fares and stronger connectivity between key commercial centres. The growth of African hubs also supports smoother multi‑city itineraries and more resilient long‑haul travel, particularly as global airspace becomes more unpredictable. With major sporting events, expanding MICE activity and rising demand for multi‑destination itineraries, the continent is positioning itself as a more accessible and commercially dynamic region for corporate travel in 2026 and beyond.