African Travel & Tourism Association’s new White Paper ‘Africa in the Air’ Launches Today revealing Africa’s record growth
The report draws on exclusive data from aviation analysts from International Air Transport Association (IATA) and UN Tourism. It highlighted how increased airlift is directly contributing to tourism growth across the region.
This growing contribution will create significant opportunities for the travel trade, airlines, investors and governments.
In the first 10 months of 2026, 182.4 million departure seats are scheduled across Africa. International capacity is key to this drive, rising 18.6% year-on-year to 129.5 million seats.
Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO of ATTA, said:
“With 54 countries spanning 72 latitudes, dramatic landscapes, culture that is rooted in centuries of heritage or dynamic youth scenes and the planet’s most dramatic wildlife, African destinations offer unique and diverse experiences. While post-Covid, tourism took a while to recover, investment into infrastructure is now combining with the resurgence of visiting friends and relatives, growing business travel demand and a renewed interest in more experiential travel and demand is reinforcing aviation growth across the continent.”
