The state of airport operations across Africa paints a diverse picture, ranging from world-class facilities to infrastructure in need of significant improvements.

A recent report by AirHelp, which evaluated 239 airports across 69 countries, highlights this disparity by ranking African airports based on on-time performance, customer opinions, and food and shopping experiences.

While some African airports shine globally, others struggle with inefficiencies and outdated infrastructure.

Africa’s Top Performers

1. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa (Global Rank: 2nd)

Cape Town International Airport sets the gold standard in Africa with an exceptional AirHelp score of 8.50, placing it second globally.

Boasting state-of-the-art facilities, an 8.4 customer satisfaction score, and an 8.6 on-time performance, it exemplifies operational excellence and innovation.

2. Johannesburg International Airport, South Africa (Global Rank: 6th)

Another feather in South Africa’s cap, Johannesburg International Airport, ranks 6th globally with an impressive overall score of 8.29.

It excels in smooth operations and customer satisfaction (8.3), reaffirming South Africa’s position as a leader in aviation.

3. Marrakesh Menara Airport, Morocco (Global Rank: 168th)

Morocco’s Marrakesh Menara Airport ranks third in Africa, scoring 7.33.

Although its global rank trails behind South Africa’s airports, its strong customer opinion score of 7.8 highlights its appeal to travellers seeking a positive airport experience.

Room for Improvement

1. Cairo International Airport, Egypt (Global Rank: 201st)

Cairo International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest hubs, ranks fourth on the continent but falls short globally, scoring 7.16.

While customer satisfaction is solid at 7.8, its on-time performance score of 6.6 signals a need for operational enhancements to reduce delays.

2. Casablanca Mohamed V International Airport, Morocco (Global Rank: 214th)

Casablanca’s airport scores similarly to Cairo’s, with a 7.05, earning praise for customer opinion (7.8).

However, its low on-time performance (6.6) impacts its overall ranking, highlighting challenges in efficiency.

3. Tunis Carthage International Airport, Tunisia (Global Rank: 239th)

Tunis Carthage Airport ranks lowest in Africa and globally, with a dismal score of 5.35. Poor on-time performance (4.8) and subpar customer satisfaction (6.2) underscore the urgent need for service and operational improvements.