AFRAA AIR TRANSPORTREPORT 2020Release date: May 2021

Global airline industry performance

Passenger traffic growth

Passenger distribution

African airlines ranking by traffic

Airport ranking by passengers traffic

Airport ranking by freight traffic

Airport charges

Airport connectivity index

African countries connectivity and openness

Annex: glossary

African Airline industry performance 2020

Routes ranking by traffic

3

5

10

8

11

12

13

15

4

8

4

10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOBAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE

The Covid 19 pandemic hit the air transport sector hard in 2020. All regions have

experienced a dras�c drop in traffic due to border closures and travel restric�ons. Both

capacity and traffic dropped globally: ASKs and RPKs declined by 55% and 65% respec�vely.

From February 2020, air traffic recorded a drop of 31% on the Asian market and 3% on the

North American market. In March the traffic is down 45% and more than 95% in April. Traffic

resumed significantly from July �ll October, but the recovery was hampered by the second

wave of infec�on during the fourth quarter of the year. Few months a�er the traffic restart,

some countries imposed new travel bans and borders closing, impac�ng interna�onal

markets and causing an 11% drop in the traffic.

Air cargo was also affected by the Covid situa�on. The lockdowns and travel ban affected

belly cargo capacity, leading to an overall yearly drop of 23%, according to IATA. Cargo traffic

also declined, affected by the disrup�ons in manufacturing and trade worldwide. However,

the recovery from Q3 led to a 10.6% year-on-year traffic drop, but an improved Cargo load

factor since capacity decrease was greater than traffic decline.

Global industry ASK and RPK growth

3

-100%

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

Jan

-20

Feb

-20

Mar

-20

Ap

r-2

0

May

-20

Jun

-20

Jul-

20

Au

g-2

0

Sep

-20

Oct

-20

No

v-2

0

Dec

-20

% Global ASK growth % Global RPK growth

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Financial performance 4

Global airline industry performance

Passenger traffic growth

Passenger distribution

African airlines ranking by traffic

Airport ranking by passengers traffic

Airport ranking by freight traffic

Airport charges

Airport connectivity index

African countries connectivity and openness

Annex: glossary

African Airline industry performance 2020

Routes ranking by traffic

3

5

10

8

11

12

13

15

4

8

4

10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOBAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE

The Covid 19 pandemic hit the air transport sector hard in 2020. All regions have

experienced a dras�c drop in traffic due to border closures and travel restric�ons. Both

capacity and traffic dropped globally: ASKs and RPKs declined by 55% and 65% respec�vely.

From February 2020, air traffic recorded a drop of 31% on the Asian market and 3% on the

North American market. In March the traffic is down 45% and more than 95% in April. Traffic

resumed significantly from July �ll October, but the recovery was hampered by the second

wave of infec�on during the fourth quarter of the year. Few months a�er the traffic restart,

some countries imposed new travel bans and borders closing, impac�ng interna�onal

markets and causing an 11% drop in the traffic.

Air cargo was also affected by the Covid situa�on. The lockdowns and travel ban affected

belly cargo capacity, leading to an overall yearly drop of 23%, according to IATA. Cargo traffic

also declined, affected by the disrup�ons in manufacturing and trade worldwide. However,

the recovery from Q3 led to a 10.6% year-on-year traffic drop, but an improved Cargo load

factor since capacity decrease was greater than traffic decline.

Global industry ASK and RPK growth

3

-100%

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

Jan

-20

Feb

-20

Mar

-20

Ap

r-2

0

May

-20

Jun

-20

Jul-

20

Au

g-2

0

Sep

-20

Oct

-20

No

v-2

0

Dec

-20

% Global ASK growth % Global RPK growth

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Financial performance 4

AFRICAN AIRLINES PERFORMANCE Africa airlines opera�ons were severely impacted by the Covid19 crisis. If the first cases on the

con�nent appeared at the end of February in the northern region, the restric�ve measures

started to be applied in March. The impact was dras�c for the traffic.

The Covid19 crisis had a devasta�ng impact on airlines finance around the world. For African

airlines, whose financial situa�on was already precarious, the impact was even greater. For the

year 2020, the Passenger revenue loss is es�mated at USD 10.21 billion.

Passenger Traffic Distribution

Domes�c43%

Intercon�nental38%

Intra Africa19%

African airlines passenger distribution 2020

Source: AFRAA /OAG

The traffic repar��on shows that African airlines

globally carried more domes�c traffic in 2020, around

43% of the total traffic compared to. The leading

carriers in terms of Domes�c traffic are airlines like

Safair, Ethiopian Airlines, Mango airlines, and Air

Algerie. Those 5 airlines carried 4.8 million passengers

on domes�c routes during the year. Interna�onal

traffic represented 57%, breaking down into 19% of

Intra-African and 38% of intercon�nental passengers.

African airlines international passenger destinations per quarter in 2020

At the con�nental level, Europe is the first interna�onal des�na�on of African airlines,

represen�ng 21% and even exceeding Intra African traffic (19%), domes�c excluded. Traffic to

Middle-East tended to increase, while traffic to Asia reduced due to Covid.

4 5

Source: AFRAA /OAG

7.6

1.5

2.3

3.7

3.5

0.6

1.0

1.4

3.9

0.5

1.4

1.3

2.2

0.3

0.7

0.9

0.8

0.1

0.1

0.6

0.2

0 5 10 15 20

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Million PAX

Domes�cIntra-africaEuropeMiddle East

African airlines ASK and RPK growth

African airlines’ Asks and RPKs followed the same trend as the global industry. From the end of

March, the majority of carriers grounded their aircra�, causing a dras�c ASK and RPK drop of 85%

and 94% respec�vely in April. The reduc�on in traffic con�nued un�l June, before reversing with

the gradual opening of borders.

-100%

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

Jan

-20

Feb

-20

Mar

-20

Ap

r-2

0

May

-20

Jun

-20

Jul-

20

Au

g-2

0

Sep

-20

Oct

-20

No

v-2

0

Dec

-20

% ASK growth % RPK growth

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Passenger Traffic Evolution Scheduled passengers carried by African airlines

The number of scheduled Passengers carried by African Airlines is es�mated to drop from 95

million in 2019 to 34.7 million in 2020, represen�ng a year-on-year decline of 63.7%.

Source: AFRAA / IATA Watts

Financial performance

African Airlines' Passenger Revenue Loss

-0.61

-3.41 -3.47-2.72 -2.60 -2.55

-1.85-1.35

-4-3-2-10

Q1

20

20

Q2

20

20

Q3

20

20

Q4

20

20

Q1

20

21

Q2

20

21

Q3

20

21

Q4

20

21

Bill

ion

USD

53.261

5663

73.8 76.6 79.583.9

88.5 91.9 95.6

34.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

20

09

20

10

20

11

20

12

20

13

20

14

20

15

20

16

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

(es�

m.)

Mill

ion

pas

sen

gers

Quarter 2 and 3 was the most affected, before a smooth recovery on the 4th quarter.According to

our forecasts, African airlines will con�nue to lose money in 2021, even if the amount will reduce.

We es�mate the overall Passenger revenue losses for 2021 at USD 8.35 billion.

Source: AFRAA /OAG

AFRICAN AIRLINES PERFORMANCE Africa airlines opera�ons were severely impacted by the Covid19 crisis. If the first cases on the

con�nent appeared at the end of February in the northern region, the restric�ve measures

started to be applied in March. The impact was dras�c for the traffic.

The Covid19 crisis had a devasta�ng impact on airlines finance around the world. For African

airlines, whose financial situa�on was already precarious, the impact was even greater. For the

year 2020, the Passenger revenue loss is es�mated at USD 10.21 billion.

Passenger Traffic Distribution

Domes�c43%

Intercon�nental38%

Intra Africa19%

African airlines passenger distribution 2020

Source: AFRAA /OAG

The traffic repar��on shows that African airlines

globally carried more domes�c traffic in 2020, around

43% of the total traffic compared to. The leading

carriers in terms of Domes�c traffic are airlines like

Safair, Ethiopian Airlines, Mango airlines, and Air

Algerie. Those 5 airlines carried 4.8 million passengers

on domes�c routes during the year. Interna�onal

traffic represented 57%, breaking down into 19% of

Intra-African and 38% of intercon�nental passengers.

African airlines international passenger destinations per quarter in 2020

At the con�nental level, Europe is the first interna�onal des�na�on of African airlines,

represen�ng 21% and even exceeding Intra African traffic (19%), domes�c excluded. Traffic to

Middle-East tended to increase, while traffic to Asia reduced due to Covid.

4 5

Source: AFRAA /OAG

7.6

1.5

2.3

3.7

3.5

0.6

1.0

1.4

3.9

0.5

1.4

1.3

2.2

0.3

0.7

0.9

0.8

0.1

0.1

0.6

0.2

0 5 10 15 20

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Million PAX

Domes�cIntra-africaEuropeMiddle East

African airlines ASK and RPK growth

African airlines’ Asks and RPKs followed the same trend as the global industry. From the end of

March, the majority of carriers grounded their aircra�, causing a dras�c ASK and RPK drop of 85%

and 94% respec�vely in April. The reduc�on in traffic con�nued un�l June, before reversing with

the gradual opening of borders.

-100%

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

Jan

-20

Feb

-20

Mar

-20

Ap

r-2

0

May

-20

Jun

-20

Jul-

20

Au

g-2

0

Sep

-20

Oct

-20

No

v-2

0

Dec

-20

% ASK growth % RPK growth

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Passenger Traffic Evolution Scheduled passengers carried by African airlines

The number of scheduled Passengers carried by African Airlines is es�mated to drop from 95

million in 2019 to 34.7 million in 2020, represen�ng a year-on-year decline of 63.7%.

Source: AFRAA / IATA Watts

Financial performance

African Airlines' Passenger Revenue Loss

-0.61

-3.41 -3.47-2.72 -2.60 -2.55

-1.85-1.35

-4-3-2-10

Q1

20

20

Q2

20

20

Q3

20

20

Q4

20

20

Q1

20

21

Q2

20

21

Q3

20

21

Q4

20

21

Bill

ion

USD

53.261

5663

73.8 76.6 79.583.9

88.5 91.9 95.6

34.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

20

09

20

10

20

11

20

12

20

13

20

14

20

15

20

16

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

(es�

m.)

Mill

ion

pas

sen

gers

Quarter 2 and 3 was the most affected, before a smooth recovery on the 4th quarter.According to

our forecasts, African airlines will con�nue to lose money in 2021, even if the amount will reduce.

We es�mate the overall Passenger revenue losses for 2021 at USD 8.35 billion.

Source: AFRAA /OAG

49.0%

68.7%

51.7% 49.4%

25.8%

22.1%

30.6% 32.0%

11.8%

7.2%11.5% 8.1%

5.7%

1.2%3.6% 7.0%4.5%

3.1% 1.4% 2.1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

AmericaAsiaMiddle EastEuropeIntra-africaDomes�c

Traffic repartition - Northern Africa

Source: AFRAA /OAG

21.5% 17.3% 15.6% 20.5%

10.1% 17.6%11.3%

11.5%

40.6% 34.5% 44.9% 38.3%

24.2% 29.3% 24.9% 26.2%1.2%

0.8% 0.2% 0.3%2.5%0.5% 3.1% 3.2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

America

Asia

Middle East

Europe

Intra-africa

Domes�c

40.6%62.7% 59.0% 59.3%

28.2%

18.8% 17.6% 18.5%13.2%

10.4%12.4% 9.8%7.2% 3.3%6.1% 8.4%8.0% 2.2% 2.7% 2.2%

2.2% 1.8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%AmericaAsiaMiddle EastEurope

Q1 Q2 Q2 Q2

Source: AFRAA /OAG

In Southern Africa, the traffic drop related to Covid reached 63.6% compared to 2019. In this

region represen�ng 21% of the con�nental traffic, the domes�c market is clearly dominant: from

66% before the Covid, the part of domes�c traffic increased up to 77% in the last quarter of 2020.

On the other end, intra-African traffic reduced, as well as traffic outside the con�nent.

Traffic repartition - Southern Africa

Central and Western African regions both represented 19.7% of the traffic in Africa. Domes�c

traffic represented around 40% in 2019, Intra-African following with 32%. In 2020, with the

Covid situa�on, the share of domes�c increased, par�cularly in the second quarter with 68% with

the boarders closing. The share of Europe, the principal des�na�on outside Africa reduced from

12% in 2019 to 10% in 2020. The traffic to Asia also declined from 5.8% to 2.4%.

Source: AFRAA /OAG

67.0% 73.1% 75.5% 76.7%

19.7%22.9% 15.1% 17.1%

6.5%2.7%

5.6% 3.2%3.3%2.6%

2.1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

AmericaAsiaMiddle EastEuropeIntra-africaDomes�c

Traffic repartition - Central and Western Africa

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Northern Africa is the leading region in terms of passengers, represen�ng 36.6% of the total

con�nental traffic. In this region, the major part of this traffic is directed outside the con�nent, in

par�cular to Europe: 45% before Covid. This can be explained by the tourism that is developed in

the region and a�racts Europeans. Middle-East is also a preferred des�na�on from Northern

Africa (22% of the traffic in 2019) due to the strong cultural and economic rela�onship between

the Maghreb and Middle-East. The Covid19 outbreak caused a year-on-year drop of 61% of the

regional traffic. The traffic toward Europe declined by 5%, in favor of Middle-East (+2.6%) and

intra-African (+2.1%). The part of the domes�c market is around 20%, which is far from the

con�nental average that is 43%.

Regional Insights

Eastern Africa is the second region in terms of passenger traffic volumes with a share of 22.2%.

Domes�c and Intra-African traffic are dominant in this region, both represen�ng 70% of the

traffic in 2020. Europe is the major des�na�on outside the con�nent followed by Asia (12% and

7% respec�vely). A�er the beginning of the Covid crisis, the share of the domes�c market rose by

20%. On the other hand, Intra-African traffic reduced by 10%. Asia also lost some shares, from 8%

to 2% from quarter two.

Traffic repartition - Eastern Africa

2.9% 2.6%100%

6 7

49.0%

68.7%

51.7% 49.4%

25.8%

22.1%

30.6% 32.0%

11.8%

7.2%11.5% 8.1%

5.7%

1.2%3.6% 7.0%4.5%

3.1% 1.4% 2.1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

AmericaAsiaMiddle EastEuropeIntra-africaDomes�c

Traffic repartition - Northern Africa

Source: AFRAA /OAG

21.5% 17.3% 15.6% 20.5%

10.1% 17.6%11.3%

11.5%

40.6% 34.5% 44.9% 38.3%

24.2% 29.3% 24.9% 26.2%1.2%

0.8% 0.2% 0.3%2.5%0.5% 3.1% 3.2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

America

Asia

Middle East

Europe

Intra-africa

Domes�c

40.6%62.7% 59.0% 59.3%

28.2%

18.8% 17.6% 18.5%13.2%

10.4%12.4% 9.8%7.2% 3.3%6.1% 8.4%8.0% 2.2% 2.7% 2.2%

2.2% 1.8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%AmericaAsiaMiddle EastEurope

Q1 Q2 Q2 Q2

Source: AFRAA /OAG

In Southern Africa, the traffic drop related to Covid reached 63.6% compared to 2019. In this

region represen�ng 21% of the con�nental traffic, the domes�c market is clearly dominant: from

66% before the Covid, the part of domes�c traffic increased up to 77% in the last quarter of 2020.

On the other end, intra-African traffic reduced, as well as traffic outside the con�nent.

Traffic repartition - Southern Africa

Central and Western African regions both represented 19.7% of the traffic in Africa. Domes�c

traffic represented around 40% in 2019, Intra-African following with 32%. In 2020, with the

Covid situa�on, the share of domes�c increased, par�cularly in the second quarter with 68% with

the boarders closing. The share of Europe, the principal des�na�on outside Africa reduced from

12% in 2019 to 10% in 2020. The traffic to Asia also declined from 5.8% to 2.4%.

Source: AFRAA /OAG

67.0% 73.1% 75.5% 76.7%

19.7%22.9% 15.1% 17.1%

6.5%2.7%

5.6% 3.2%3.3%2.6%

2.1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

AmericaAsiaMiddle EastEuropeIntra-africaDomes�c

Traffic repartition - Central and Western Africa

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Northern Africa is the leading region in terms of passengers, represen�ng 36.6% of the total

con�nental traffic. In this region, the major part of this traffic is directed outside the con�nent, in

par�cular to Europe: 45% before Covid. This can be explained by the tourism that is developed in

the region and a�racts Europeans. Middle-East is also a preferred des�na�on from Northern

Africa (22% of the traffic in 2019) due to the strong cultural and economic rela�onship between

the Maghreb and Middle-East. The Covid19 outbreak caused a year-on-year drop of 61% of the

regional traffic. The traffic toward Europe declined by 5%, in favor of Middle-East (+2.6%) and

intra-African (+2.1%). The part of the domes�c market is around 20%, which is far from the

con�nental average that is 43%.

Regional Insights

Eastern Africa is the second region in terms of passenger traffic volumes with a share of 22.2%.

Domes�c and Intra-African traffic are dominant in this region, both represen�ng 70% of the

traffic in 2020. Europe is the major des�na�on outside the con�nent followed by Asia (12% and

7% respec�vely). A�er the beginning of the Covid crisis, the share of the domes�c market rose by

20%. On the other hand, Intra-African traffic reduced by 10%. Asia also lost some shares, from 8%

to 2% from quarter two.

Traffic repartition - Eastern Africa

2.9% 2.6%100%

6 7

African airlines ranking by traffic (AFRAA estimations)

African airlines ranking by traffic (AFRAA estimations)

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Routes Ranking By Traffic (AFRAA Estimations)

Top 10 domestic routes by passengers carried (AFRAA estimations)

Domestic routes ranking

Source: AFRAA /OAG

0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Johanesburg - Cape town

Durban - Johanesburg

Abuja - Lagos

Cape town - Durban

Nairobi - Mombasa

Johanesburg - Port Elisabeth

Johanesburg - George

Lagos - Port Harcourt

East London - Johanesburg

Kumasi - Accra

Millions

6 of the 10 busiest domes�c routes in Africa are within South Africa showing the strength of this

market. Western Africa is represented with 3 routes: Abuja – Lagos, Lagos – Port Harcourt, and

Kumasi - Accra.

Top 10 Intra - African routes by passengers carried (AFRAA estimations)

Intra-African routes ranking

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Almost all the regions are represented in this top 10: Southern Africa with 5 routes, 1 route in

Eastern Africa, 2 in Northern Africa, and 2 in Western Africa.

This top 10 shows the strength of traffic between North Africa and Middle East, par�cularly from

Cairo. Egyptair is the leading carrier on these routes.

Intercontinental routes ranking

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Top 10 Intercontinental routes by passengers carried (AFRAA estimations)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Mi�ga - Tunis

Harare - Johanesburg

Khartoum - Cairo

Entebbe - Nairobi

Saint Denis - Mauri�us

Mi�ga - Niamey

Accra - Lagos

Johanesburg - Bulawayo

Gaborone - Johanesburg

Tunis - Casablanca

Thousands

Thousands0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Total

Jeddah - Cairo

Riyahd - Cairo

Cairo - Dubai

Saint Denis - Paris

Cairo - Kuwait

Tunis - Paris

Khartoum - Jeddah

Cairo - Charjah

Cairo - Medina

Algiers - Paris

8 9

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Comair

Mango Airlines

Tunisair

Air Arabia Maroc

Air Algerie

Kenya Airways

Safair

Royal Air Maroc

EgyptAir

Ethiopian Airlines

Million PAX

Domes�c

Intra-africa

Intercon�nental

African airlines ranking by traffic (AFRAA estimations)

African airlines ranking by traffic (AFRAA estimations)

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Routes Ranking By Traffic (AFRAA Estimations)

Top 10 domestic routes by passengers carried (AFRAA estimations)

Domestic routes ranking

Source: AFRAA /OAG

0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Johanesburg - Cape town

Durban - Johanesburg

Abuja - Lagos

Cape town - Durban

Nairobi - Mombasa

Johanesburg - Port Elisabeth

Johanesburg - George

Lagos - Port Harcourt

East London - Johanesburg

Kumasi - Accra

Millions

6 of the 10 busiest domes�c routes in Africa are within South Africa showing the strength of this

market. Western Africa is represented with 3 routes: Abuja – Lagos, Lagos – Port Harcourt, and

Kumasi - Accra.

Top 10 Intra - African routes by passengers carried (AFRAA estimations)

Intra-African routes ranking

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Almost all the regions are represented in this top 10: Southern Africa with 5 routes, 1 route in

Eastern Africa, 2 in Northern Africa, and 2 in Western Africa.

This top 10 shows the strength of traffic between North Africa and Middle East, par�cularly from

Cairo. Egyptair is the leading carrier on these routes.

Intercontinental routes ranking

Source: AFRAA /OAG

Top 10 Intercontinental routes by passengers carried (AFRAA estimations)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Mi�ga - Tunis

Harare - Johanesburg

Khartoum - Cairo

Entebbe - Nairobi

Saint Denis - Mauri�us

Mi�ga - Niamey

Accra - Lagos

Johanesburg - Bulawayo

Gaborone - Johanesburg

Tunis - Casablanca

Thousands

Thousands0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Total

Jeddah - Cairo

Riyahd - Cairo

Cairo - Dubai

Saint Denis - Paris

Cairo - Kuwait

Tunis - Paris

Khartoum - Jeddah

Cairo - Charjah

Cairo - Medina

Algiers - Paris

8 9

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Comair

Mango Airlines

Tunisair

Air Arabia Maroc

Air Algerie

Kenya Airways

Safair

Royal Air Maroc

EgyptAir

Ethiopian Airlines

Million PAX

Domes�c

Intra-africa

Intercon�nental

Airport Ranking By Passengers

African airports ranking by passengers

Source: AFRAA / ACI AFRICA

Addis Ababa and Cairo are the busiest airports in Africa. Johannesburg and Nairobi are also part of the

top ranking. The only WCAF airport in this top 10 is Lagos. A�er the severe drop in traffic on Quarter 2,

Addis ,Cairo, Casablanca and Nairobi airports saw a rise in traffic. South African airports had to wait for

the last quarter of the year to have a no�ceable improvement. Tunis and Marrakech on the other hand

saw a decrease in traffic during the last quarter.

Airport Ranking by Freight Traffic African airports ranking by freight

Addis Ababa airport handled more than 500 thousand tons of freight during the year 2020. Nairobi

Jomo Kenya�a Cairo followed with 335 thousand tons. Four West Africa are part of the top 10, namely

Lagos, Accra, Dakar, and Abidjan. For the majority of these airports, freight traffic strongly rebounded

a�er the drop of Quarter 2. Addis and Nairobi even performed in Quarter 4 compared to Quarter 1.

Source: AFRAA / ACI AFRICA

Aircraft Type B737MTOW 70.08 Metric Flight Type InternationalOrigin & Destination 100Total Departing Pax 100Parking Time 2 HourBoarding bridge time 1 HourArrival Time 12:00Cargo 0 Kilograms

African airports ranking by charge index

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Lusaka

Luanda

Casablanca

Conakry

Tunis

Malabo

Bamako

Ilha Do Sal

Douala

Khartoum

Kinshasa

Cotonou

Ouagadougou

Dakar

Brazzaville

Lagos

Accra

Harare

Libreville

Abidjan

Johannesburg

Kigali

Cairo

Saint Denis

Dar Es Salaam

Addis Ababa

Windhoek

Maputo

Entebbe

Lilongwe

Antananarivo

Gaborone

Nairobi

Mauri�us

Algiers

Mahe Island

Index

Lusaka has the highest level of charges while Mahe Island has the lowest among the selected

airports. Some of the busiest airports in Africa like Johannesburg, Addis, Algiers are among the

least expensive. This indicates that lowering the airport charges can have a posi�ve effect on

traffic.

Methodology: A compara�ve study based on a single aircra� type applies to all airports of more than 500

thousand passengers yearly.

The type of aircra� chosen is the B737, the most popular aircra� type in the region.Following the applied criteria:

AIRPORT CHARGES

Source: AFRAA / IATA ACIC

10 11

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Quarter 3 Quarter 4

Airport Ranking By Passengers

African airports ranking by passengers

Source: AFRAA / ACI AFRICA

Addis Ababa and Cairo are the busiest airports in Africa. Johannesburg and Nairobi are also part of the

top ranking. The only WCAF airport in this top 10 is Lagos. A�er the severe drop in traffic on Quarter 2,

Addis ,Cairo, Casablanca and Nairobi airports saw a rise in traffic. South African airports had to wait for

the last quarter of the year to have a no�ceable improvement. Tunis and Marrakech on the other hand

saw a decrease in traffic during the last quarter.

Airport Ranking by Freight Traffic African airports ranking by freight

Addis Ababa airport handled more than 500 thousand tons of freight during the year 2020. Nairobi

Jomo Kenya�a Cairo followed with 335 thousand tons. Four West Africa are part of the top 10, namely

Lagos, Accra, Dakar, and Abidjan. For the majority of these airports, freight traffic strongly rebounded

a�er the drop of Quarter 2. Addis and Nairobi even performed in Quarter 4 compared to Quarter 1.

Source: AFRAA / ACI AFRICA

Aircraft Type B737MTOW 70.08 Metric Flight Type InternationalOrigin & Destination 100Total Departing Pax 100Parking Time 2 HourBoarding bridge time 1 HourArrival Time 12:00Cargo 0 Kilograms

African airports ranking by charge index

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Lusaka

Luanda

Casablanca

Conakry

Tunis

Malabo

Bamako

Ilha Do Sal

Douala

Khartoum

Kinshasa

Cotonou

Ouagadougou

Dakar

Brazzaville

Lagos

Accra

Harare

Libreville

Abidjan

Johannesburg

Kigali

Cairo

Saint Denis

Dar Es Salaam

Addis Ababa

Windhoek

Maputo

Entebbe

Lilongwe

Antananarivo

Gaborone

Nairobi

Mauri�us

Algiers

Mahe Island

Index

Lusaka has the highest level of charges while Mahe Island has the lowest among the selected

airports. Some of the busiest airports in Africa like Johannesburg, Addis, Algiers are among the

least expensive. This indicates that lowering the airport charges can have a posi�ve effect on

traffic.

Methodology: A compara�ve study based on a single aircra� type applies to all airports of more than 500

thousand passengers yearly.

The type of aircra� chosen is the B737, the most popular aircra� type in the region.Following the applied criteria:

AIRPORT CHARGES

Source: AFRAA / IATA ACIC

10 11

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anes

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Quarter 1 Quarter 2

Quarter 3 Quarter 4

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anes

bu

rg

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30

60

90

120

150

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Quarter 3 Quarter 4

Intra-African connectivity growth by quarter

Intra-African connectivity index 2020

-97% -95% -90%-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

Q1 (base) Q2 Q3 Q4

Johannesburg remains the most connected airport, even if severely affected by the lockdown

measures. Mauri�us completely ceased opera�ons during Quarters 2 and 3, bringing

connec�vity level to zero. Airports like Madagascar, Lome, and Khartoum saw a quick

improvement from the beginning of Quarter 3, benefi�ng from less strict restric�ons.

Airport

Index 2020

Johannesburg

12527Addis Ababa

9744

Nairobi 4548Algiers 1829Cairo 1163Zanzibar 1162Lome 744Abuja 648Casablanca

632

Abidjan

493Kigali

409

Accra

364Antananarivo

195

Khartoum 184Luanda 178Mauri�us 131Dakar 128Libreville 125Entebbe 114Ouagadougou 107

Lilongwe 100

Source: AFRAA / OAG

Source: AFRAA / OAG

AFRICAN COUNTRIES CONNECTIVITY AND OPENNESS In 2020, the regional traffic represented only 19% of African carriers' opera�ons. Furthermore,

the Covid19 situa�on depleted the Intra African connec�vity that was already low. It is important

to facilitate travels within Africa by removing the barriers that prevent travels within the

con�nent.

African airports ranking by passengers

Among the 54 countries in the African con�nent, 13 have direct flights to more than 20 African

countries. Ethiopia and Kenya lead with 30 direct flights and more to other countries within Africa.

However, the intra-African connec�vity remains poor. African airlines should take the

opportunity to develop their Intra-African Network, especially in this period where the EU has

limited travels to Europe.

Central Africa Eastern Africa Northern Africa Southern Africa Western Africa

Central Africa

64%

16%

34% 15% 33%

Eastern Africa

45%

16% 21% 7%

Northern Africa 69% 4% 41%

Southern Africa 57% 3%

Western Africa 65%

Connectivity between African regions

Source: AFRAA / AfDB

The table above represents the percentage of direct connec�ons exis�ng between all the

countries within a region or toward another African region in rela�on to the total number of

possible connec�ons. While intra-connec�vity is rela�vely high within Northern Africa (more

than 69%), we can see that connec�vity across regions remains poor. The highest rate is between

Northern and western Africa with only 41%. Southern Africa is the less connected with other

regions, par�cularly with the western (only 3%). Visa Openness within Africa 2020.

Source: AFRAA / AfDB

INTRA-AFRICAN CONNECTIVITY Methodology:

We calculate the total number of possible Intra-African connec�ons between inbound and

outbound flights on 20 important African hubs in 2020.

The rules selected for the computa�on are as follows:

Ÿ Single connec�ons only to/from the chosen airports,

Ÿ Minimum Connec�on Time from OAG table,

Ÿ Maximum Connec�on Window of 6 hours

The Covid19 situa�on drama�cally affected connec�vity within Africa with a sharp drop of 97%

during the second quarter. Un�l the end of 2020, the level of intra-African connec�vity was 90%

under the level of quarter 1.

12 13

EthiopiaKenyaEgypt

South AfricaMorocco

Cote D'IvoireGhana

NigeriaCameroon

TogoSeychelles

South SudanGuinea-Bissau

BotswanaBurundiDjibou�

LibyaLesotho

EritreaEswa�ni

Top 10 best and worst connected countries in Africa

Intra-African connectivity growth by quarter

Intra-African connectivity index 2020

-97% -95% -90%-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

Q1 (base) Q2 Q3 Q4

Johannesburg remains the most connected airport, even if severely affected by the lockdown

measures. Mauri�us completely ceased opera�ons during Quarters 2 and 3, bringing

connec�vity level to zero. Airports like Madagascar, Lome, and Khartoum saw a quick

improvement from the beginning of Quarter 3, benefi�ng from less strict restric�ons.

Airport

Index 2020

Johannesburg

12527Addis Ababa

9744

Nairobi 4548Algiers 1829Cairo 1163Zanzibar 1162Lome 744Abuja 648Casablanca

632

Abidjan

493Kigali

409

Accra

364Antananarivo

195

Khartoum 184Luanda 178Mauri�us 131Dakar 128Libreville 125Entebbe 114Ouagadougou 107

Lilongwe 100

Source: AFRAA / OAG

Source: AFRAA / OAG

AFRICAN COUNTRIES CONNECTIVITY AND OPENNESS In 2020, the regional traffic represented only 19% of African carriers' opera�ons. Furthermore,

the Covid19 situa�on depleted the Intra African connec�vity that was already low. It is important

to facilitate travels within Africa by removing the barriers that prevent travels within the

con�nent.

African airports ranking by passengers

Among the 54 countries in the African con�nent, 13 have direct flights to more than 20 African

countries. Ethiopia and Kenya lead with 30 direct flights and more to other countries within Africa.

However, the intra-African connec�vity remains poor. African airlines should take the

opportunity to develop their Intra-African Network, especially in this period where the EU has

limited travels to Europe.

Central Africa Eastern Africa Northern Africa Southern Africa Western Africa

Central Africa

64%

16%

34% 15% 33%

Eastern Africa

45%

16% 21% 7%

Northern Africa 69% 4% 41%

Southern Africa 57% 3%

Western Africa 65%

Connectivity between African regions

Source: AFRAA / AfDB

The table above represents the percentage of direct connec�ons exis�ng between all the

countries within a region or toward another African region in rela�on to the total number of

possible connec�ons. While intra-connec�vity is rela�vely high within Northern Africa (more

than 69%), we can see that connec�vity across regions remains poor. The highest rate is between

Northern and western Africa with only 41%. Southern Africa is the less connected with other

regions, par�cularly with the western (only 3%). Visa Openness within Africa 2020.

Source: AFRAA / AfDB

INTRA-AFRICAN CONNECTIVITY Methodology:

We calculate the total number of possible Intra-African connec�ons between inbound and

outbound flights on 20 important African hubs in 2020.

The rules selected for the computa�on are as follows:

Ÿ Single connec�ons only to/from the chosen airports,

Ÿ Minimum Connec�on Time from OAG table,

Ÿ Maximum Connec�on Window of 6 hours

The Covid19 situa�on drama�cally affected connec�vity within Africa with a sharp drop of 97%

during the second quarter. Un�l the end of 2020, the level of intra-African connec�vity was 90%

under the level of quarter 1.

12 13

EthiopiaKenyaEgypt

South AfricaMorocco

Cote D'IvoireGhana

NigeriaCameroon

TogoSeychelles

South SudanGuinea-Bissau

BotswanaBurundiDjibou�

LibyaLesotho

EritreaEswa�ni

Top 10 best and worst connected countries in Africa

ACIC: Aviation Charges Intelligence Center

AFDB: African Development Bank

AFRAA: African Airlines Association

ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization IATA: International Air Transport Association

RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometers

YoY: Year on Year

Visa Openness within Africa 2020

In terms of Visa openness within, more and more countries are opening their borders to other

African countries. In 2010, The Gambia joined Seychelles and Benin in the group of totally Visa-

free countries. Visa on arrival is adopted by 32 countries across Africa. Unfortunately, in 2020

46% of Africans s�ll need a visa to travel to another African country compared to 50% in 2019,

which is a small improvement.

ANNEX: GLOSSARY

14

11

01

00

466678

59

1310

141414

1617171718

1415

2021

1316

2222

170000

216

89

1413

1617181818

2722

24535353

002

245

3000

00

80

07001

0000

011

11201711

00

1052525353

5125

4544

3840

3635333435

213128

000

525251504948

464747474645

4044

4036

3939383736363635

2827

3132

2326

3131

2611001

1200

10

11

210

50

1000

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Equatorial GuineaLibya

SudanEritrea

EgyptSouth Sudan

Congo Democra�cAlgeria

BurundiMorocco

CameroonSao Tome and Principe

CongoGabon

NamibiaAngola

Central AfricaLiberia

ChadLesotho

South AfricaEswa�ni

BotswanaNiger

ZambiaMalawi

MaliTunisia

Sierra LeoneBurkina FasoCote d'Ivoire

GuineaZimbabwe

Djibou�Madagascar

ComorosSomaliaEthiopia

TanzaniaMauritania

MozambiqueTogo

Guinea-BissauCape Verde

NigeriaKenya

UgandaRwanda

Mauri�usSenegal

GhanaGambia

BeninSeychelles

No Visa Visa on arrival Visa required

Source: AFRAA / AfDB

15

ACIC: Aviation Charges Intelligence Center

AFDB: African Development Bank

AFRAA: African Airlines Association

ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization IATA: International Air Transport Association

RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometers

YoY: Year on Year

Visa Openness within Africa 2020

In terms of Visa openness within, more and more countries are opening their borders to other

African countries. In 2010, The Gambia joined Seychelles and Benin in the group of totally Visa-

free countries. Visa on arrival is adopted by 32 countries across Africa. Unfortunately, in 2020

46% of Africans s�ll need a visa to travel to another African country compared to 50% in 2019,

which is a small improvement.

ANNEX: GLOSSARY

14

11

01

00

466678

59

1310

141414

1617171718

1415

2021

1316

2222

170000

216

89

1413

1617181818

2722

24535353

002

245

3000

00

80

07001

0000

011

11201711

00

1052525353

5125

4544

3840

3635333435

213128

000

525251504948

464747474645

4044

4036

3939383736363635

2827

3132

2326

3131

2611001

1200

10

11

210

50

1000

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Equatorial GuineaLibya

SudanEritrea

EgyptSouth Sudan

Congo Democra�cAlgeria

BurundiMorocco

CameroonSao Tome and Principe

CongoGabon

NamibiaAngola

Central AfricaLiberia

ChadLesotho

South AfricaEswa�ni

BotswanaNiger

ZambiaMalawi

MaliTunisia

Sierra LeoneBurkina FasoCote d'Ivoire

GuineaZimbabwe

Djibou�Madagascar

ComorosSomaliaEthiopia

TanzaniaMauritania

MozambiqueTogo

Guinea-BissauCape Verde

NigeriaKenya

UgandaRwanda

Mauri�usSenegal

GhanaGambia

BeninSeychelles

No Visa Visa on arrival Visa required

Source: AFRAA / AfDB

15

African Airlines Association

P.O. Box 20116 00200 GPO Nairobi, Kenya

GSM: +254 20 2320144 | +254 20 23 20148

Cell: +254 (0)722 20978 | +254 (0)735 337669

Website: www.afraa.org

CONTACTS