Africa's rise in the 21st century has been astronomical. And there is no better indication of this than its aviation sector, an industry that supports about 6.8 million jobs and contributes $72.5bn in GDP, according to figures published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Over the next two decades, routes to, from and within the continent will increase by an extra 274 million passengers per year by 2036, for an overall market size of 400 million. Its annual average growth rate will be about 5.9 percent - the highest of any region in the world.

As Africa's economic rise continues lets looks at the top ten largest African airlines based on passenger numbers in 2018.


1. Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines carried more than 11 million passengers last year, according to figures from Sabre, a jump of 17.6 percent on the previous 12 months.

The Star Alliance carrier is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that aims to position it as the leading airline group in Africa with seven strategic business units.

In June 2018, the airline took delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-900, becoming the first African airline to reach the milestone. It has five more Boeing 787-900s on order along with 16 Airbus A350s among others.

2. EgyptAir

EgyptAir carried in excess of 8.1 million passengers in 2018, placing it second on the list of biggest African carriers. The airline, which operates from Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport, operated more than 120 routes last year across 53 countries in the world.

3. Royal Air Maroc

Morocco's flag-carrier increased passenger numbers by 8.7 percent to about 7.5 million during a year when it celebrated its 60th anniversary. The airline, owned by the Moroccan government, is based at Casablanca Airport and has a fleet of 54 aircraft.

4. Air Algerie

Air Algerie, the national carrier of Algeria, operates from its main hub in Algiers operating a mix of African, European and selected Asian routes. The North African airline carried about 7.2 million passengers in the last calendar year, a rise of 6.9 percent on 2017.

5. South African Airways

The flag carrier of South Africa has endured a difficult few years and is currently attempting to revive its fortunes under the leadership of chief executive Vuyani Jarana. In 2017 passenger numbers fell 1.1 percent to 6.8 million, the fourth year in a row it has experienced a decline.

6. Comair

Aviation company Comair has been operating local and regional services in southern Africa under the British Airways livery since 1996 and launched low-cost airline Kulula.com in 2001. It carried 5.59 million passengers in 2017, up from 5.36 million in 2016, putting it as the sixth largest carrier.

7. Kenya Airways

National airline Kenya Airways is a SkyTeam alliance member and operates scheduled services throughout Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Last year it operated 78 routes to 41 countries, carrying 4.59 million passengers.

8. Tunisair

Tunisia’s national flag carrier Tunisair increased passenger numbers by almost 6 percent in 2017 to 3.26 million, figures provided by Sabre show. The airline currently has a fleet of 28 aircraft, including four which are grounded.

9. Mango

State-owned South African low-cost carrier Mango flew 2.88 million passengers last year, a drop of 3 percent compared with 2017. In May this year, the country’s government announced that Mango, South African Airways and SA Express are to merge as part of efforts to drive “synergy and savings”.

10. Arik Air

The Nigerian airline operates mainly from two hubs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport near Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. It carried 2.6 million passengers in 2018, making it the tenth largest African airline.


More lists on Africa's development http://www.afriforum.net/3407/the-ten-biggest-african-airlines-2019

Arik made it. How?

even me sef the wonder how local arik made it

Airline wey in the other news Fg the intervene to rescue

Royal Air Maroc, the molue of the skies. Fly at your own discomfort.
Na wetin dem talk, not verified biko.

Nice one SA, 3 airlines made it!

Arik air no suppose make am naa, is a local airline, do they fly to other country??

So many sadist will be disappointed to see Arik there

Where is Nigeria Air that Buhari scammed us of $3bn

Olifiz:
Arik made it. How?

I wonder. Arik Air that is about to be merged due to debt?