The number of airports in Africa is growing in number as the continent awakens to engage in international travel. Air traffic has increased dramatically on the continent over the last 10 years and this has led to improvements and improvements in the number of existing international airports as well as the construction of new airports. Historically, most African countries have one, two or three international airports, but this number is gradually increasing recently. There are a number of African airports worth mentioning when considering the top 10 best airports in Africa.
Here are the best international airports in Africa
10. PORT ELIZABETH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SOUTH AFRICA
Located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is one of the best airports in Africa. Known as the ‘Ten Minute Airport’, the airport is owned by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and is just a five minute drive from the central business district and the beach. It is no more than a ten minute drive from other major areas of the city. Port Elizabeth International Airport currently handles more than one million passengers per year and over 800 tons of cargo including flowers, frozen lobster, etc. With the modern terminal upgrade, the airport can handle up to 2 million passengers per year.
9. JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NAIROBI, KENYA
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is one of Kenya’s busiest airports and the busiest airport in Eastern and Central Africa. Located 18 kilometers east of the capital Nairobi, it is served by 49 airlines with direct flights to Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and other African countries. The airport handles more than 5 million passengers every year. Post Office, Bank, Restaurants, Cafeterias, Bars, VIP Lounge, Duty Free Shop, Newsagent/Tobacconist, ATM, Currency Exchange, Tourist Information, Car Rental, Taxi Service/Rank, First Aid, Disabled Access/Facilities, Baby Room/Parents Room , business centers are just a few of the many facilities at your disposal. The airport was partially expanded,
8. MURTALA MUHAMMED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LAGOS, NIGERIA
Located in Lagos is West Africa’s busiest airport: Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The airport officially opened on March 15, 1979. With domestic and international terminals, it handles more than 100,000 aircraft and carries more than 6 million passengers annually. Major airlines such as Emirates, Ocean Air, Delta, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM and China Southern Airlines all have landing rights at Nigeria’s largest international airport.
7. MOHAMMED V INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CASABLANCA, MOROCCO
Mohammed V International Airport (airport code CMN) is located in Morocco about 30 kilometers southeast of Casablanca. It is operated by ONDA (National Airports Office). It is the busiest airport in Morocco with almost 7.25 million passengers per year. Every week there are about 182 flights to Paris, over 17 flights to New York and more than 14 flights to Dubai and Frankfurt. Casablanca is one of the most important commercial and industrial cities in the southern Mediterranean. Freight traffic is expected to increase drastically in the coming years.
6. SHARM EL-SHEIKH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Sharm el Sheikh , EGYPT
Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport is located 18 kilometers northeast of the city of Sharm El Sheikh and is considered the second (after Cairo) major airport in Egypt. The airport has about 10 million passengers annually. The airport is located in the heart of the resort area near the Red Sea coast. Egyptian Airports Holding Company announced that it would build a third new terminal at the airport, doubling capacity from 7.5 to 15 million passengers a year. The main air traffic consists of seasonal charter flights from Western and Eastern Europe, the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, Russia and the CIS countries. The airport’s infrastructure has been constantly upgraded to improve the quality of passenger services.
5. HURGHADA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, HURGHADA, EGYPT
Hurghada International Airport is located in the hinterland: about 5 km southwest of the city of Hurghada in the district of El Dahar). The flight facility serves Hurghada, the center of the Egyptian Red Sea, the seaport city of Safaga and many other amazing Red Sea beaches and watersports locations such as Al Quseir, Soma Bay, El Gouna, Al-Mahmya, Sharm El Naga and Makadi Bay. The airport is currently served by one terminal. With the construction of a new terminal complex currently in operation, with an annual passenger capacity of 7.5 million, passengers will have access to a variety of shops, duty-free boutiques and restaurants. More than 40 aircraft offer seasonal charter flights to the cities of Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and the CIS. Nowadays the airport has been massively renovated,
4. CAIRO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CAIRO, EGYPT
Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s busiest airport and ranks among the busiest airports in Africa, with over 65 airlines operating each year. It is northeast of the city, about 15 kilometers from the city’s business district, and has an area of about 37 square kilometers. The airport has three terminals and a new cargo terminal has recently been built. The airport is managed by the Egyptian Holding Co. of Airports and Aviation (EHCAAN), which controls four other companies. The airport has four terminals. Terminal 1 handles both domestic and international travelers. Terminal 3 and the Seasonal Terminal opened in 2008 and 2011, respectively. The Seasonal Terminal was built to relieve congestion during holy pilgrimages on the Hajj.
3. KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
King Shaka International Airport, opened in May 2010 and also known as La Mercy Airport, is the main airport in Durban, South Africa. Approximately 35 km north of the city of Durban, this world-class hotel offers a variety of amenities to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. King Shaka International is reportedly three times the size of Durban Airport and has five times the number of shops. With a floor area of 102,000 m² in its passenger terminal, it currently handles around 5 million passengers per year. However, the airport can handle 7.5 million passengers and has plenty of room for future expansion if needed.
2. CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town International Airport is part of Africa’s second busiest airport, approximately 20km from the city centre. It has built a reputation as Africa’s premier international award-winning and VIP destination and consistently ranks among the best in the world in its category. In 2015, 14 million passengers passed through Cape Town International and in general, Cape Town has many tourist attractions, so you might want to pass through Cape Town on your next trip as well.
1. OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
In what can be described as all South Africa’s top 3 list, OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) Johannesburg tops the list of the best airports in Africa. It is the air transport hub in southern Africa. Handling more than 17 million passengers per year and recent infrastructure upgrades, OR Tambo can now handle up to 28 million passengers per year. It is none other than the largest and busiest airport in Africa. With more than 18,000 employees from various companies at ORTIA, the airport boasts an impressive infrastructure that has expanded by thousands of square meters since its humble inception. OR Tambo International Airport hosts airlines from all five continents and is managed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). Named in homage to one of the most important founding fathers of the new South Africa. Oliver Reginald Tambo, affectionately known as OR by his peers.