Africa is becoming one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, particularly in the post-pandemic era. Major airlines on the continent are in the process of expanding their networks, replacing older aircraft with new-generation fleets, and establishing global airline partnerships and codeshare agreements. Many African airlines want to expand their fleets and networks, but there's more to the story.
.. It's an exciting time for the continent's aviation scene - Simple Flying lists the five largest airlines in Africa in terms of fleet size, based on data from ch-aviation .
5 Kenya Airways Fleet size: 34 Number five on our list is the national flag carrier Kenya Airways, with a current fleet size of 34 aircraft. Largely owned by the Government of Kenya (48.9% stake), the airline operates scheduled services to over 45 destinations worldwide.
Founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways, Kenya Airways became the first African non-government-controlled airline. Kenya Airways has relaunched flights from Nairobi to Bangkok after over three years. Kenya Airways became a member of the SkyTeam alliance in 2010 and operates from its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in the nation's capital, Nairobi.
Apart from the SkyTeam alliance, the airline has codeshare agreements with numerous major airlines, including Etihad Airways, British Airways, and KLM. 4 Royal Air Maroc Fleet size: 50 Number four on our list is the national flag carrier of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc, also known as RAM. The country's largest airline has a current fleet size of 50 aircraft and operates scheduled services to around 90 destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The airline also operates occasional charter flights, including Hajj services to and from Saudi Arabia. The airline was founded in 1953 and the name "Royal Air Maroc" was adopted in 1957 after the Moroccan government acquired a 67.73% stake in the airline.
With its hub at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, the oneworld alliance member operates an extensive domestic network together with flights to Europe and the Americas. The carrier could climb up this list quite rapidly in the next few years if its ambitions are realized - the airline has unveiled plans to quadruple the size of its fleet by the 2030s , potentially taking it to 200 aircraft. 3 Air Algerie Fleet size: 55 Number three on our list is the national flag carrier of Algeria, Air Algérie, with a current fleet size of 55 aircraft.
The airline operates scheduled passenger services to 78 domestic and international destinations in 28 countries. Founded as Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA) in 1946, when Algeria was still a French Overseas Territory, the plan was to offer flights to Europe for the thousands of Europeans who had immigrated to Algeria. Following its independence in 1962, the Algerian government controlled the airline, establishing its central hub at Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) in the nation's capital, Algiers.
The airline only operates a single widebody aircraft type, the Airbus A330-200, but has flown notable twin-aisle jets in the past, including the Boeing 747. 2 Egypt Air Fleet size: 69 The runner-up on our list is the Star Alliance network member Egypt Air, with a current fleet size of 69 narrowbody and widebody aircraft. The operator of some of the most modern aircraft on the continent, Egypt Air operates to over 100 destinations worldwide.
The airline also operates one of the largest air cargo services in Africa. The order was announced at the ongoing 2023 Dubai Airshow. The airline previously operated the Airbus A220, with 12 airframes in its fleet, but has decided to offload all of them to make way for its incoming A350 fleet.
With its roots dating back to the early 1930s flying under the name "Misrair" and "United Arab Airlines," the airline was renamed Egyptair on October 10, 1971. The state-owned flag carrier of Egypt is based at Cairo International Airport (CAI). With an excellent mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, the airline aims to further expand its fleet and services.
1 Ethiopian Airlines Fleet size: 134 Star Alliance network member Ethiopian Airlines is hands down the continent's largest airline, with a fleet size of 134 narrowbody and widebody aircraft. Founded in 1945 by Emperor Haile Selassie, the airline was his hope of modernizing and shaking off the country's previous image. Thanks to its reasonably priced tickets and an extensive network of destinations, the airline is partnered with several major global carriers.
Since its inaugural flight between Addis Ababa and Cairo in 1945, the airline has grown to become Africa's dominant carrier. The airline has its hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) and it operates to 155 passenger and 68 cargo destinations worldwide..
