African airways noticed passenger visitors soar 10.3% in December 2025, marking one of many strongest month-to-month performances for the area in current historical past.
That is based on the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation 2025 full-year and December passenger market efficiency report.
The rise highlights rising demand for air journey inside Africa and displays a sturdy restoration pushed by vacation journey, improved connectivity, and rising curiosity in each home and regional flights.
What the report is saying
For the total yr 2025, African airways recorded 7.8% progress in passenger demand in comparison with 2024, whereas capability rose 6.5%.
The area’s load issue, which measures seat occupancy, climbed 0.9 proportion factors to 74.9%, setting a report excessive for Africa.
December 2025 alone noticed the most important month-to-month progress for African airways, reflecting robust seasonal journey and sustained restoration momentum.
“African airways’ annual visitors rose 7.8% in 2025 versus the prior yr. Full yr 2025 capability was up 6.5% and cargo issue climbed 0.9 ppt to 74.9%.
“This was the bottom load issue amongst areas, however a report excessive for Africa and the strongest load issue enhance of any area. December 2025 visitors for African airways rose 10.3% over December 2024,” the report learn partially.
- Globally, 2025 noticed record-high air journey demand. Complete passenger visitors rose 5.3% over 2024, with capability up 5.2%, pushing the worldwide load issue to 83.6%, a full-year report.
- Worldwide journey led progress, with demand up 7.1% and capability up 6.8%, whereas home demand grew 2.4% and cargo issue edged down 0.1 proportion level to 83.7%. December 2025 noticed general demand rise 5.6%, capability enhance 5.9%, and cargo issue attain 83.7%.
Regional performances past Africa
Asia-Pacific airways posted 10.9% progress in full-year worldwide visitors, with capability up 10.2% and a load issue of 84.4%, the very best of any area. December demand for the area grew 7.5% year-on-year.
- European carriers noticed 6.0% full-year worldwide visitors progress, with capability rising 5.9% and cargo issue enhancing 0.1 proportion level to 84.1%. December demand climbed 8.4% in comparison with the earlier yr.
- Center Jap airways skilled 6.7% visitors progress for the total yr, with capability up 5.8% and cargo issue rising 0.7 proportion factors to 81.6%. December demand jumped 9.5% year-on-year.
North American carriers recorded the slowest progress, with 2.1% full-year visitors progress, capability up 2.4%, and cargo issue down 0.2 proportion factors to 83.9%. December visitors rose 3.5%.
Latin American airways noticed 8.6% progress in full-year visitors, with capability increasing 10.2%, leading to a 1.2 proportion level decline in load issue to 83.6%. December demand grew 8.2%.
Extra insights
The robust 10.3% progress in African passenger visitors in December 2025 was mirrored in outbound seat focus on the continent’s main hubs.
Cairo Worldwide Airport ranked first, recording 1,687,283 departing seats in the course of the month.
- It was adopted by O.R. Tambo Worldwide Airport in second place with 1,224,799 seats, whereas Addis Ababa Bole Worldwide Airport ranked third with 1,173,631 seats.
- In fourth place, Casablanca Mohammed V Worldwide Airport dealt with 684,337 departing seats, intently adopted by Cape City Worldwide Airport, which ranked fifth with 663,879 seats.
Marrakech Menara Worldwide Airport positioned sixth, recording 587,925 seats, whereas Houari Boumediene Worldwide Airport ranked seventh with 552,147 seats.
Rounding out the highest ten, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Worldwide Airport ranked eighth with 505,114 departing seats, Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport positioned ninth with 495,635, and Hurghada Worldwide Airport ranked tenth, recording 469,149 seats.
What it’s best to know
In November 2025, African airways posted the strongest progress in international air cargo demand, with volumes rising 15.6% year-on-year. Obtainable cargo capability for African carriers elevated 18.1%, the most important progress of any area for the month.
- Globally, air cargo demand grew 5.5%, with worldwide shipments up 6.9%. International capability rose 4.7%, and 6.5% for worldwide operations, reflecting robust seasonal demand and strategic commerce re-routing.
- Different areas recorded combined outcomes. Asia-Pacific airways noticed demand rise 10.3% and capability enhance 8.4%. European carriers posted 5.8% progress in demand with 4.1% increased capability.
Center Jap airways grew demand 7.4% and capability 11%. In distinction, North American carriers confronted a slight decline, with demand down 1.6% and capability down 2.3%, whereas Latin American and Caribbean airways recorded demand falling 4.8% and capability lowering 3.0%.
