Lagos Airport Records Africa’s Fastest Seat-Capacity Growth In September

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, recorded the fastest growth in scheduled seat capacity among Africa’s 10 largest airports in September 2026, according to the Official Airline Guide (OAG).

OAG, a global provider of flight schedule data, said MMIA recorded 470,000 scheduled seats during the month, representing an increase of 90,600 seats, or 24.1 per cent, compared with September 2025.

The growth placed Lagos ahead of the other major African airports monitored by OAG, although MMIA ranked ninth in terms of overall scheduled seat capacity.

Cairo International Airport remained Africa’s largest airport by capacity, with 1.79 million scheduled seats in September, an 11.2 per cent increase year-on-year.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport followed with 1.19 million seats, up 6.5 per cent, while O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg recorded 1.16 million seats, representing a five per cent increase.

Other airports among the continent’s 10 largest included Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca with 730,000 seats, Cape Town International Airport with 590,000, and Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers with 580,000.

Marrakech Menara Airport recorded 530,000 seats, while Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi had 520,000. Tunis-Carthage International Airport recorded 460,000 seats.

Nigeria posts strongest aviation market growth
Nigeria also recorded the fastest growth in scheduled airline capacity among Africa’s top 10 aviation markets during the period.

According to OAG, the country added 322,800 scheduled seats, bringing its total capacity to 1.19 million seats, a 37.4 per cent increase from the 864,100 seats recorded in September 2025.

OAG attributed the growth to currency reforms, a new aircraft leasing agreement and increased confidence among airlines operating in the Nigerian market.

Egypt remained Africa’s largest country aviation market, with 3.1 million scheduled seats in September, representing a 13.4 per cent increase from the previous year.

South Africa added 151,200 seats to reach 2.43 million, while Morocco increased its capacity by 188,000 seats to 2.07 million.

Ethiopia’s capacity rose by 83,500 seats to 1.41 million, while Tanzania added 77,100 seats to reach 733,000.
Algeria recorded an increase of 74,600 seats to 1.05 million, while Ghana added 34,600 seats to reach 302,100.

Tunisia and Kenya recorded increases of 24,500 and 6,900 seats respectively, bringing their capacities to 789,800 and 833,100.

Across Africa, OAG said scheduled airline capacity reached 25.8 million seats in September, representing a 9.4 per cent year-on-year increase.

International flights accounted for 78 per cent of the continent’s total scheduled capacity, while domestic capacity grew by 11.6 per cent.