Airlines serving African markets scheduled 25.8 million seats in September 2026, up 9.4% from a year earlier, according to aviation data provider OAG.
The figure was below the 27.3 million seats scheduled in August but above the 23.5 million recorded in September 2025, with both international and domestic capacity recording year-on-year growth.
The ranking also saw some reshuffling, with changes among the airlines in the top 10 compared with August.
International services accounted for 78% of September’s capacity and grew 8.9% year-on-year, while domestic capacity increased 11.6%. Low-cost carriers recorded 5.3 million seats, up 11.5%.
Scheduled seat capacity reflects the number of seats airlines have available for sale and provides an indication of the scale of their operations.
OAG’s ranking includes both African and international airlines serving the continent.
Here are the 10 largest airlines serving African markets by scheduled seat capacity in September 2026.
Air Peace returned to Africa’s top 10 in September with 354,804 scheduled seats, up 54.7% from 229,412 seats in September 2025, making it the fastest-growing airline in the ranking.
The Nigerian carrier had dropped out of the top 10 in August but returned at number 10 in September. It was also the only Nigerian airline in the ranking, reflecting its sizeable domestic network and growing regional and international operations.
Air Peace added another Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft to its fleet in May 2026. The aircraft, registered 5N-CGD, arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on May 24.
The additional aircraft provided more capacity for the airline’s network, while its expanding international operations also contributed to its scheduled seat growth.
Air Peace’s return to the top 10, alongside its 54.7% year-on-year increase, was the most significant capacity growth recorded among the ranked airlines in September.
Air Cairo entered the September top 10 at number nine with 360,502 scheduled seats, up 14.9% from 313,611 seats in September 2025, according to OAG data.
The Egyptian carrier was one of two new entrants to the September ranking, as its capacity growth lifted it ahead of airlines that featured in earlier monthly rankings.
Air Cairo’s expansion has been accompanied by fleet growth. On August 20, 2026, the airline took delivery of its 40th aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, as part of its fleet-modernisation programme.
The airline said the aircraft would support the expansion of its destination network and strengthen its regional and international operations.
With scheduled capacity up 14.9% year-on-year, Air Cairo moved into ninth place, just ahead of Air Peace, which returned to the ranking at number 10.
Emirates ranked eighth in September with 427,100 scheduled seats, up 9.3% from 390,579 seats in September 2025, according to OAG data.
The Dubai-based carrier is not African but features in the ranking because of its extensive network serving African markets and connecting the continent with destinations across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Emirates increased its African services during 2026, introducing a third daily Dubai-Nairobi service in July, taking the route to 21 weekly flights. It also added a third daily Dubai-Cape Town service, with its Airbus A350 deployed on the route.
The airline also reinstated its fourth daily service to Johannesburg, bringing flights between Johannesburg and Dubai to 56 per week.
These extra flights, together with Emirates’ programme to upgrade the interiors and systems of its aircraft, helped the airline increase the number of seats it offered on routes to and from Africa. By July 2026, the retrofit programme had been completed on 100 aircraft.
Ryanair ranked seventh in September with 472,839 scheduled seats, up 5.3% from 448,952 seats recorded in September 2025, according to OAG data.
The Irish low-cost carrier is not African but is included because of its extensive services to African markets, particularly North Africa, from its European network.
Ryanair continued to expand its fleet in 2026, taking delivery of additional Boeing 737 aircraft to support the growth of its network and flight schedules.
The airline’s September capacity placed it ahead of Emirates, Air Cairo and Air Peace, although its 5.3% year-on-year growth was among the slower rates in the top 10.
With 472,839 scheduled seats, Ryanair retained seventh position in the September ranking.
Airlink ranked sixth in September with 538,052 scheduled seats, up 5.1% from 511,989 seats recorded in September 2025, according to OAG data.
The South African regional carrier connects cities across Southern Africa and remains one of the continent’s largest regional airlines by scheduled capacity.
Airlink has been expanding its fleet through a lease agreement with Azorra for 10 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with the first three already delivered. The aircraft are expected to add capacity on high-density routes and support the airline’s expansion across sub-Saharan Africa.
The carrier has also announced plans to launch a non-stop Cape Town-Zanzibar service in October 2026, with the E195-E2 expected to operate the route.
Air Algérie ranked fifth in September with 756,627 scheduled seats, up 13.3% from 667,810 seats in September 2025, according to OAG data.
The Algerian national carrier is one of North Africa’s largest airlines, serving domestic, regional and international markets from its base in Algeria.
Air Algérie is pursuing fleet expansion and renewal, with its fleet currently comprising 56 aircraft. The airline said additional aircraft will be added to improve aircraft availability, expand its long-haul and African networks and support its cargo operations.
Its fleet includes Airbus A330-900neo, Airbus A330-300, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-600 and ATR aircraft.
