10 Best Airports in Africa

The best airports in Africa are those that offer travellers the most comfort, ease, and great service. These places go beyond just being transportation hubs; they deliver top-notch experiences, making travel smoother and more enjoyable.

Why Airport Quality Matters for Travellers

A high-quality airport matters because:

• Smooth travel experience: Clean facilities, helpful staff, and clear signs reduce stress.

• Efficiency: Fast check-ins, security, and boarding make travel less tiring.

• Better first impressions: A clean, welcoming airport sets a positive tone for the entire trip.

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• Safety and reliability: Good service usually comes with safe, well-managed operations.

Award Rankings (e.g., Skytrax & ASQ)

Credible awards help rank the best airports. A few examples:

• Skytrax World Airport Awards (2025) ranked the best airports in Africa:

  1. Cape Town International Airport

  2. Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport

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  3. Durban King Shaka International Airport

  4. Marrakech Menara Airport

  5. Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport

  6. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

  7. Kigali International Airport

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  8. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (Mauritius)

  9. Cairo International Airport

  10. Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo, Madagascar) AFRVIATOR

• In 2024, Skytrax also ranked Africa’s top airports:

  1. Cape Town

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  2. Durban King Shaka

  3. Johannesburg

  4. Casablanca

  5. Mauritius (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam)

  6. Marrakech

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  7. Addis Ababa

  8. Kigali

  9. Cairo

  10. Nairobi Skytrax

• Awards from ACI World ASQ (Airport Service Quality):

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  • Casablanca Mohammed V Airport won multiple honors: most dedicated staff, easiest airport journey, most enjoyable airport, cleanest airport, and “best airport by size & region” in its category AFRVIATOR.

  • Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport (Senegal) earned “cleanest airport” and “most enjoyable airport” titles Business Insider Africa.

  • Moi International Airport (Mombasa, Kenya) was named “Best Airport in Africa” for under-2 million passengers.

Criteria for Ranking the Best Airports

Key factors that define the best airports include:

• Cleanliness – Tidy terminals, restrooms, and waiting areas.

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• Facilities – Good lounges, restaurants, shops, and clear signage.

• Service – Friendly, efficient, well-trained staff.

• Connectivity – Quality transport links, regular flights.

• Passenger reviews – Real traveller feedback on experience, comfort, and ease.

Top 10 Best Airports in Africa

Here are the standout airports, ranked by awards and quality of experience:

1. Cape Town International Airport (South Africa)

   • 2025 Skytrax Best Airport in Africa, plus Best Staff and Cleanest.

   • Top-ranked for staff service in 2024.

   • In 2025, also ranked best in the world by AirHelp for on-time flights and customer experience TIME

2. Durban King Shaka International Airport (South Africa)

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   • 2025 Skytrax awards: 3rd best in Africa and Best Regional Airport

   • Known for excellence in staff service.

3. Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport (South Africa)

   • Ranked #2 in 2025 Skytrax Best Airports in Africa list.

   • Consistently among top ranks in earlier years.

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4. Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (Morocco)

   • Frequently awarded for customer service and ease of travel.

   • In top 5 of 2025 Skytrax rankings.

5. Marrakech Menara Airport (Morocco)

   • Recognized for cleanliness and enjoyable experience.

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   • Ranked #4 in 2025 Skytrax list.

6. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia)

   • Ranked #6 in Skytrax 2025 Best Airports.

   • Also among top 10 in prior years.

7. Kigali International Airport (Rwanda)

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   • Recognized in 2025 list at #7.

   • Often praised for cleanliness and efficiency.

8. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (Mauritius)

   • In top 10 Skytrax 2025 rankings.

   • Noted for excellent staff service.

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9. Cairo International Airport (Egypt)

   • Ranked #9 in Skytrax Best Airports (2025).

10. Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo, Madagascar)

    • Made the top 10 in Skytrax 2025 list.

Spotlight: The Number One Best Airport – Cape Town International Airport

What sets it apart:

• Consistently named Best Airport in Africa by Skytrax: again in 2025.

• Recognized for exceptional staff and cleanliness.

• In 2025, also ranked best in the world by AirHelp for on-time performance and customer satisfaction.

• Underwent major upgrades before the 2010 FIFA World Cup and continues to maintain high facility standards.

Its clean terminals, friendly staff, smooth check-in process, and reliable flights offer a top-tier travel experience on the continent.

How African Airports Are Improving

Improvements across African airports are becoming clear:

• Renovations & expansions: Example—Cape Town’s post-2010 upgrades, and planned expansions in Casablanca and Addis Ababa.

• Smart tech adoption: Airports are introducing fast check-in kiosks, digital signage, and better security systems.

• Service training: Airports like Casablanca, Kigali, Mauritius, and Nairobi have invested in staff training, boosting traveler satisfaction.

• Recognition & awards: Skytrax and ASQ awards help airports benchmark quality and push service standards higher.

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Conclusion

To sum up:

• The best airports in Africa make travel easy, clean, efficient, and pleasant.

• Cape Town International is currently the top airport in Africa—and even among the best in the world.

• Other top-performing airports include Durban, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Addis Ababa, Kigali, and more—each offering standout services.

• Improvements like facility upgrades, smart technology, and better training are helping African airports reach new heights.

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For more, check out our other airport articles:

• Busiest Airports in Africa – learn which airports handle the most passengers.

• Largest Airports in Africa – a look at airport size and infrastructure.