Top 10 Biggest Flag Airlines In Africa and Their Countries [Ranked 2024]
Africa has some of the world’s largest airlines in terms of passengers carried and fleet size.
These airlines, known as flag carriers, are integral to the profitable and social development of the continent and its people.
Several factors have contributed to the growth and development of flag airlines in Africa.
One of the crucial factors is the increasing demand for air travel within the mainland, driven by profitable growth, rising middle- class populations, and wide connectivity.
Also, strategic hookups and alliances with transnational airlines have allowed African flag carriers to expand their networks and offer further routes and destinations.
Government support and investments in aeronautics structure have also played a pivotal part in the development of flag airlines.
Here are the 10 biggest flag airlines in Africa and what they offer passengers.
Top Best Performing African Airlines:
1. Ethiopian Airlines (🇪🇹
Ethiopian Airlines, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is the largest flag carrier in Africa and the eighth largest in the world.
With a fleet of over 120 aircraft, it operates listed passenger services to more than 90 destinations in five mainlands.
It’s also a member of the Star Alliance and has codeshare agreements with more than 30 other carriers.
2. South African Airlines (🇿🇦
South African Airways, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, is the second biggest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates to over 37 destinations within the continent and to over 60 transnational destinations in five continents.
SAA is a member of the Star Alliance and has a codeshare agreement with 29 other airlines.
3. Kenya Airways (🇰🇪
Kenya Airways, found in Nairobi, Kenya, is the third biggest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates scheduled passenger services to over 50 destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
It’s a member of the SkyTeam alliance and has codeshare agreements with more than 20 other airlines.
4. Egypt Air (🇪🇬
EgyptAir, grounded in Cairo, Egypt, is the fourth largest flag carrier in Africa and the 12th largest in the world.
It operates listed passenger services to over 75 destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.
It’s a member of the Star Alliance and has codeshare agreements with more than 20 other airlines.
5. Air Algeria (🇩🇿
Air Algérie, located in Algiers, Algeria, is the fifth largest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates scheduled passenger services to nearly 50 destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
It’s a member of the SkyTeam alliance and has codeshare agreements with more than 10 other airlines.
6. Royal Air Maroc (🇲🇦)
Royal Air Maroc, grounded in Casablanca, Morocco, is the sixth largest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates passenger services to more than 90 destinations in Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.
It’s a member of the oneworld alliance and has codeshare agreements with more than 10 other airlines.
7. Air Mauritius (🇲🇺
Air Mauritius, found in Port Louis, Mauritius, is the seventh largest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates listed passenger services to more than 25 destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
It’s a member of the International Air Transport Association and has codeshare agreements with more than 10 other airlines.
8. Rwandair (🇷🇼)
Rwandair, located in Rwanda is the eighth largest flag carrier in Africa.
The airline operates on scheduled services to more than 30 destinations in Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
9. Air Seychelles (🇸🇨
Air Seychelles, grounded in Mahe, Seychelles, is the ninth largest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates passenger services to more than 15 destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
It’s a member of the International Air Transport Association and has codeshare agreements with several other airlines.
10. Tunisair (🇹🇳
Tunisair, located in Tunis, Tunisia, is the tenth largest flag carrier in Africa.
It operates listed passenger services to more than 50 destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
It’s a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization and has codeshare agreements with several other airlines
