African airlines experienced a 5.3% year-over-year increase in passenger traffic in September, outperforming several global regions, according to new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The industry body stated on Thursday that the continent’s carriers achieved a passenger load factor of 74.7%, a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points from the same period last year. Africa now accounts for 2.2% of total global airline passenger traffic.
Local aviation analyst Bobby Mwifima noted that while Africa’s share of the global market remains small, the upward trend indicates steady growth in air travel for both business and tourism.
“I assume the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is driving air travel,” Mwifima told Allen Dreyfus.
Africa’s Skies Grow Busier
Mwifima added that the continent’s expanding middle class, improving aviation infrastructure, and liberalized trade environment are fueling demand for regional and intercontinental connectivity.
Mwifima said this shows that Africa is an emerging market for air travel, and if the trend continues, Africa will become more competitive.
Globally, IATA recorded a 3.6% increase in air travel demand, a 3.7% rise in capacity, and an 83.4% average load factor, representing a marginal 0.1 percentage point decline. The figures suggest that Africa’s aviation sector is outpacing global averages in relative growth, even if absolute numbers remain low.
Cargo Lifts the Continent’s Prospects
The continent also led the world in air cargo growth. IATA described Africa as the fastest-growing air cargo market in September, ahead of Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
African carriers reported a 14.7% year-over-year increase in cargo demand, the strongest performance among all regions, with a cargo load factor of 44.4% and a 2% share of the global air freight market.
In contrast, North America lagged behind other regions as the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s April tariff policies dampened trans-Pacific trade flows. IATA noted that the tariffs reduced North America–Asia traffic while stimulating more vigorous trade activity between Asia and other regions, including Africa.
Globally, cargo demand rose by 2.9% compared with September 2024, while capacity grew by 3.0%. The September results marked the seventh consecutive month of overall growth in air cargo demand, signaling a sustained recovery in global trade.
