Africa's aviation market grows as easyJet enters top 10 rankings

Africa’s aviation market saw steady growth in May 2026, with rising passenger demand and improved connectivity. The latest rankings by OAG’s African Aviation Market Data revealed shifts among the continent’s top airlines by seat capacity. The top 10 airlines in Africa were ranked based on one-way departing seat capacity. easyJet secured the tenth spot, recording 344,293 seats—a 20.0% increase from May 2025, when it offered 287,000 seats. This growth followed the airline’s decision to establish a permanent base at Marrakech Menara Airport in April 2026.

The broader market remained competitive, with multiple carriers expanding their capacity. Despite this, no Nigerian airline appeared in the May 2026 rankings. Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, had last featured in December 2025, holding sixth place at the time.

Analysts attributed the sector’s expansion to recovering networks, stronger connectivity, and a rebound in passenger numbers. The data reflected ongoing recovery and investment across the continent’s aviation industry. easyJet’s entry into the top 10 marked its growing presence in Africa, supported by strategic base expansions. The absence of Nigerian carriers highlighted shifting dynamics in the region’s airline capacity. Overall, the market’s upward trend pointed to increased travel activity and airline competition.