According to a recent update from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) published in September 2026, Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca and Marrakech-Ménara Airport have emerged among the top ten most dynamic airport hubs on the continent in terms of seating capacity for August 2026.
The African aviation sector continues its upward trajectory throughout the summer of 2026, driven by an increase in passenger traffic, the opening of new routes, and the strengthening of fleet capacities. Across the continent, overall seating capacity rose by 8.8% in August 2026 compared to August 2025, while intra-African offerings surged by 10.5%. In this expanding aviation landscape, Morocco solidifies its central role as a crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Casablanca and Marrakech: A Strong Showing in Aviation
In AFRAA's August 2026 continental ranking, Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca claims the 4th position in Africa, boasting an impressive capacity of 803,579 seats offered during the month. The Casablanca hub stands out as the undisputed leader in North West Africa and a major gateway to the continent, surpassed only by the giants of Cairo (1.85 million seats), Addis Ababa (1.25 million), and Johannesburg (1.14 million).
As the second major airport in the Kingdom, Marrakech-Ménara also demonstrates a remarkable performance by securing the 10th position in the continental rankings, with 480,112 seats recorded. This notable presence underscores the exceptional tourist dynamism of the ochre city and the density of the international connections serving it.
This dual presence of Moroccan airports significantly contributes to the dominance of the North African region, which alone accounts for 41.9% of the total seating capacity on the continent in August 2026. The region surpasses East Africa (22.7%), Southern Africa (18.3%), as well as Central and West Africa (17.1%).
Moreover, beyond the dynamism of the airport infrastructures, the AFRAA report highlights a marked improvement in key indicators for airlines across the continent. Financially and commercially, the sector's health is solidifying with a 5.6% increase in passenger revenues recorded in July 2026. This momentum is supported by a sustained rise in activity, illustrated by a 9% increase in available seat kilometers (ASK) and a 5.8% rise in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) during the same period. On intercontinental routes, African carriers are also reinforcing their strategic foothold by capturing 62.4% of the total capacities deployed in August.
However, this favorable recovery is tempered by persistent structural constraints. The AFRAA notably points to the high cost of aviation fuel (JET A1) on the continent, where the price averaged $169.01 per barrel at the end of August 2026, compared to a more moderate global average of $163.87.
In this context, where the ICAO and AFRAA are intensifying their initiatives to realize the African Air Transport Market (MUTAA/SAATM) and facilitate border formalities, Morocco is fully capitalizing on the situation. With the complementary and high-performing hubs of Casablanca and Marrakech, the Kingdom strongly reaffirms its role as a strategic pivot in African skies.
As reported by h24info.ma.
