By Youssef Yahya 
Africa’s aviation sector has been growing rapidly, particularly in the post-pandemic era, with several major airlines expanding their networks and modernizing their fleets, in this article we will explore the top 10 African airlines as rated by the World Airline Awards by SkyTrax. These airlines are recognized not only for their fleet advancements but also for their extensive destinations and key alliances with global carriers.
FlySafair
10
FlySafair, a low-cost airline based in Johannesburg, is a subsidiary of Safair. Known for its affordability and commitment to service, FlySafair currently operates 14 destinations across Sub-Saharan Africa with its slogan, “For the Love of Flying.”
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boeing 737-400 | 6 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 28 |
| Total Aircraft | 34 |
LIFT
9
Operating domestically from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, LIFT is a South African airline known for its customer-centric service and unique business model. The airline, operated by Global Airways, has a streamlined fleet focused on efficiency.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 6 |
| Total Aircraft | 6 |
Airlink
8
Airlink, formerly South African Airlink, connects smaller towns to major cities in Southern Africa and has expanded its services to larger routes. With over 60 routes across 45 destinations, Airlink plays a vital role in regional connectivity.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Embraer ERJ-135 | 16 |
| Embraer ERJ-140 | 11 |
| Embraer E170 | 3 |
| Embraer E175 | 3 |
| Embraer E190 | 28 |
| Embraer E195 | 6 |
| Total Aircraft | 67 |
EgyptAir
7
EgyptAir, the country’s state-owned airline, is a member of the Star Alliance network and operates one of Africa’s largest fleets. With over 100 destinations globally and a robust cargo service, EgyptAir continues to play a pivotal role in connecting Africa with the world.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Airbus A320neo | 6 |
| Airbus A321neo | 7 |
| Airbus A330 | 4 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 28 |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 6 |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 7 |
| Total Aircraft | 58 |
Air Mauritius
6
The national carrier of Mauritius, Air Mauritius operates a modest but modern fleet from its hub at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Known for its hospitality, Air Mauritius provides connectivity between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Airbus A330-200 | 2 |
| Airbus A330-900 | 2 |
| Airbus A350-900 | 4 |
| ATR 72-500 | 3 |
| ATR 72-600 | 1 |
| Total Aircraft | 12 |
RwandAir
5
RwandAir operates from Kigali International Airport, serving 25 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Known for its excellent service, RwandAir is a flagship carrier with a promising international presence.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Airbus A330-200 | 2 |
| Airbus A330-300 | 1 |
| Boeing 737-700 | 1 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 6 |
| Bombardier CRJ900ER | 2 |
| De Havilland Dash 8-400 | 2 |
| Total Aircraft | 14 |
Kenya Airways
4
As Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways has a robust fleet serving over 45 destinations. With a significant government stake, the airline was founded in 1977 and has grown to become a vital airline for both regional and international travel.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 8 |
| Boeing 787-8 | 9 |
| Embraer E190 | 15 |
| Total Aircraft | 32 |
South African Airways (SAA)
3
Founded in 1934, South African Airways is the country’s flag carrier, headquartered in Johannesburg. SAA was the first African airline to join the Star Alliance and offers flights across Africa, as well as intercontinental routes to Australia and Brazil.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 8 |
| Airbus A330-300 | 2 |
| Airbus A340-300 | 2 |
| Total Aircraft | 12 |
Royal Air Maroc
2
Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco’s national carrier, operates from its hub at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. A member of the oneworld alliance, RAM provides connectivity across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 28 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 2 |
| Boeing 787-8 | 5 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 4 |
| Embraer 190 | 4 |
| Total Aircraft | 43 |
Ethiopian Airlines
1
Ethiopian Airlines, a Star Alliance member, boasts the continent’s largest fleet and an extensive global network. Established in 1945, it connects Africa with destinations worldwide, thanks to a broad fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Airbus A350-900 | 20 |
| Airbus A350-1000 | 1 |
| Boeing 737-700 | 9 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 18 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 20 |
| Boeing 777-200LR | 6 |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 4 |
| Boeing 787-8 | 19 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 10 |
| De Havilland Dash 8-400 | 32 |
| Total Aircraft | 139 |
We’d love to hear from you! Have you had the chance to fly with any of these top African airlines? Share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below!
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
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