African Airlines Struggling to Compete in Own Market: Why Non-African Carriers Still Dominate

African Airlines Face Stiff Competition in Their Own Backyard

While African airlines are making efforts to strengthen their presence within the continent, they still fall far behind their international counterparts when it comes to dominating intercontinental travel. Despite the undeniable growth of air traffic within Africa, a major report from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) shows that non-African airlines are still holding the lion’s share of intercontinental capacity.

As of June 2025, international carriers control 63.7% of the intercontinental market to and from Africa—a stark contrast to the 36.3% share held by African airlines. This situation highlights the uphill battle that African carriers continue to face, even within their own home turf.

Challenges at Home: A Struggle to Maintain Market Share

AFRAA’s latest performance report for June 2025 reveals that African airlines have not been able to make a significant dent in the competition despite a slight 0.1% increase in seat capacity on intra-Africa routes. The overall total seat capacity has seen a 3% decrease over the past year. This indicates not just an ongoing struggle, but a contraction in the ability of African carriers to keep up with increasing demand and competition.

When it comes to the distribution of seat capacity across the continent, North Africa leads the pack with 40.7%, followed by Eastern Africa (23%), Southern Africa (18.9%), and Central and Western Africa (17.4%). However, the overall decrease in total capacity shows that the region is yet to fully capitalize on its potential to accommodate its growing passenger numbers.

Key Airports: The Powerhouses of African Air Travel

Despite the challenges, some African airports continue to emerge as central hubs for air travel. According to AFRAA, the top 10 airports by seat capacity in Africa as of June 2025 include:

1. Cairo International Airport

2. OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)

3. Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport

4. Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport

5. Algiers’ Houari Boumediene Airport

6. Cape Town International Airport

7. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

8. Marrakesh Menara Airport

9. Tunis – Carthage International Airport

10. Hurghada International Airport

These airports are central to intra-Africa and international travel, with Johannesburg and Cairo leading the way. While African carriers dominate at some of these key hubs, the broader market dynamics reveal that non-African airlines remain the dominant players.

Looking Ahead: A Growth Trend for African Airlines

Despite the current struggles, there is hope for the future. According to AFRAA projections, African airlines are expected to see a 15.3% increase in passenger traffic by the end of 2025, up from 98 million passengers in 2024 to an estimated 113 million. This growth suggests that African carriers could still carve out a larger share of the market, particularly if they focus on increasing capacity and improving services on intercontinental routes.

However, this growth will depend on several factors, including improving fleet quality, expanding global routes, and enhancing the competitive edge of African airlines to appeal to both business and leisure travelers. The key challenge will be whether African airlines can overcome their reliance on international carriers for global connectivity.

What Does This Mean for African Air Travel?

This situation underscores the urgency of reforms in the African aviation sector. To break free from the dominance of non-African airlines, African carriers must invest in their infrastructure, collaboration, and innovation. The continent’s vast market potential, combined with rising passenger demand, means there is a significant opportunity for growth. But only by addressing current challenges can African airlines begin to truly compete on the world stage.

The data is clear: while African airlines are growing, they still have much work to do to become true global players in their own market. However, with the right investments and strategies in place, the future could hold exciting possibilities for Africa’s aviation industry.

Source: Travel News 

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