Tunis-Carthage airport has secured the 8th position in the African airport rankings by seat capacity for August 2026. According to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the airport offered 526,444 available seats during the month. This ranking places Tunis-Carthage behind Alger and Casablanca but ahead of Marrakech and Lagos. The airport's performance is notable, especially when compared to other major airports in the Maghreb region.
The AFRAA's latest update, published on September 15, provides a comprehensive overview of the African airport landscape. The top 10 list is dominated by Cairo, with 1.85 million available seats, followed by Addis-Abeba and Johannesburg. Tunis-Carthage's 8th position is a significant achievement, considering the airport's capacity is comparable to that of major hubs in the region. Casablanca ranks 4th with 803,579 seats, while Alger follows closely with 676,242 seats.
A comparison of Tunis-Carthage's performance with other airports in the Maghreb region reveals some interesting trends. The airport has a higher seat capacity than Marrakech-Ménara, which ranks 10th with 480,112 seats. Tunis-Carthage also surpasses Lagos, which has 483,103 seats. However, the airport still lags behind Casablanca and Alger in terms of seat capacity. These rankings highlight the competitive landscape of African airports and the varying levels of capacity offered by different hubs.
The African airline industry is experiencing significant growth, with an 8.8% increase in seat capacity across the continent over the past year. Intra-African flights have seen an even higher growth rate of 10.5%. However, it is essential to distinguish between seat capacity and actual passenger traffic. According to AFRAA, the available seat kilometers (ASK) increased by 9% in July, while revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) grew by 5.8%.
The growth in seat capacity is not uniform across all regions. North Africa plays a significant role in the continent's air transport landscape, accounting for 41.9% of the total seat capacity in August. East Africa and Southern Africa follow with 22.7% and 18.3%, respectively. The dominance of North African airports is reflected in the top 10 list, which features five airports from the region: Cairo, Casablanca, Alger, Tunis-Carthage, and Marrakech.
Tunis-Carthage's 8th position in the African airport rankings is a testament to its growing importance as a hub. The airport's seat capacity is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing demand for air travel in the region. However, the airport still faces challenges in terms of competition from other major hubs in North Africa. To maintain its position, Tunis-Carthage will need to continue investing in infrastructure and services to attract more passengers and airlines.
In conclusion, Tunis-Carthage's ranking in the top 10 African airports by seat capacity is a significant achievement. The airport's performance reflects its growing importance as a hub in the region. With a seat capacity of 526,444 in August 2026, Tunis-Carthage is well-positioned to continue growing and competing with other major airports in North Africa. The airport's future prospects look promising, driven by increasing demand for air travel and its strategic location in the region.
Key points
- Tunis-Carthage airport ranks 8th in Africa by seat capacity with 526,444 available seats in August 2026.
- North Africa dominates the African air transport landscape, accounting for 41.9% of the total seat capacity in August.
- The African airline industry is experiencing significant growth, with an 8.8% increase in seat capacity across the continent over the past year.
