International airports are every country’s main gateway, as you may know. Hence, it should ensure that airport facilities are well-maintained in order to give the best possible impression of the nation to international visitors. Also, make sure that the staff at these airports is competent enough to provide customers with the greatest service possible at all times. These are some of the criteria used to rank the top airports worldwide.
However, the following list of the best 2023 top 10 best airports in Africa are derived and organised by Skytrax, the world’s most reliable source for quality reviews about different aspects of the global aviation sector. Skytrax is a UK-based consultancy service specialising in airline and airport reviews since 1999.
In a bid to determine the best airports in different parts of the world, Skytrax customer satisfaction survey focusses on customer service and facilities in more than 500 airports around the world per year.
Amongst the airports lists in Africa, Cape Town International Airport is the best airport in Africa. It satisfies the major needs of a traveler like excellent customer service, carriage services, bank & currency exchange services, internet & telephone services, and accessible passenger terminal are the criteria used to determine the best airports.
Top 10 Best Airports In Africa
10. Bram Fischer International Airport, South Africa
Located in Bloemfontein the capital city of the Free State province, the Bram Fischer International Airport is one of the major airports in South Africa. It occupies the 10th spot on the Best African Airports ranking.
The airport was renovated and upgraded before the 2010 FIFA world cup. The name of the airport was modified to Bram Fischer International Airport from Bloemfontein International Airport in November 2012 however, President Jacob Zuma retitled it officially on the 13th of December, 2012.
9. Port Elizabeth International Airport, South Africa
The Port Elizabeth International Airport is often referred to as the 10 minutes airport due to how the airport connects effortlessly to the city’s main provinces. The Airport was constructed to provide services to Port Elizabeth and it is possessed and run by the Airports Company, South Africa.
The facilities made available to travelers in the Port Elizabeth International Airport comprise cafes, eateries, bars, free Wi-Fi, lounges, clothes and provisions stores, a baby changing room, and a car park. The airport employees are also commended to be supportive and lovely.
8. Kigali International Airport, Rwanda
Located in Kigali, the Rwandan capital the Kigali International Airport was formally known as Kanombe International Airport. The Airport is the foremost airport in Rwanda, however, it provides services to Congolese, Ugandan and Burundian capitals, which makes the Airport a very significant airport in the region.
It is considered as one of the best airports in Africa going by the International Aviation Standard owing to the prompt response of the Airport’s fire department. To compensate for its meager facilities, the Airport provides exceptional and pleasant customer service.
7. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia
Formally known as Haile Selassie I International Airport, the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The airport provides flight services to other African countries, South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. The Airport has an annual passenger volume of 12.1 million travelers. The Airport is home to the prestigious Ethiopian airlines and the planes witnesses a daily inflow and outflow of an averagely of 450 planes.
6. Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco
Located in Nouasseur, Casablanca, the Mohammed V international airport is the busiest in Morocco. It was titled after King Mohammed V of Morocco and it is the major international airport functioning in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Mohammed V International Airport has facilities like eateries, smoking spaces, prayer rooms, ATMs, currency exchange stands, Children’s play areas, a medical center, and a bar. The Airport has a passenger volume of 10 million travelers.
5. Marrakech Menara International Airport, Morocco
Located in the capital city of the Marrakesh Safi region in Morocco, the Marrakech Menara International Airport is the best in North Africa. The airport accepts travelers from Europe, Casablanca, and some Arabian countries.
Facilities made available to travelers at the Marrakech Menara International Airport comprise ATMs, eateries, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, prayer rooms, lounges (three lounges), and wheelchair rentals.
4. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (Mauritius)
Formally known as the Plaisance Airport the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport was named after the first prime minister of Mauritius and is located in Port Louis at Plaine Magnien. It is the major international airport in Mauritius that was built in 1942 and has an annual passenger capacity of 5 million travelers.
The airport boasts of notable facilities and hospitable services like a Children’s play space, prayer rooms, a baby changing room, currency exchange stands, phone stands, spa, and first aid service station. The Airport is constantly kept clean with nice and helpful employees and numerous seats in the lounge.
3. O.R Tambo International Airport, South Africa
Located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa, the O.R Tambo International Airport formally known as the Jan Smuts Airport is the major operating in Gauteng and the busiest airport in Africa with a passenger volume of 28 million. It is one of the airports that are well equipped with top-notch facilities like retail shops, eateries, lounges, and parking spaces.
The O.R Tambo International Airport has convertible cushioned benches that can be used as beds for travelers that have an overnight stopover and you don’t need to worry about security as the airport is equipped with functioning CCTV cameras and airport security personnel. Additionally, the airport applies a smart safety system that accelerates the safety screening process.
2. King Shaka International Airport, South Africa
KSIA, the acronym for King Shaka International Airport is located in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa and it is the major airport operating in Durban. The airport was named after the forefather of the Zulu Kingdom and it is one of the biggest airports in Africa. The airport commenced operation on the 1st of May, 2010 shortly before the 2010 FIFA world cup began. The Airport’s construction has been estimated to cost $900 million.
The Airport is commended for its layout that is characterized by little walking distances and fast check-in and check-out periods. The airport has world-class facilities such as 72 check-in stands, 18 self-service stands, 52 shops and restaurants as well as a Pizza shop, and a safety sensor system.
1. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
Cape Town International Airport is the best airport in Africa and it is the major airport in Cape Town located in Matroosfontein, Cape Town, South Africa. It has been recognized as the best African airport six times consecutively since 2016 because it provides travelers with the most enjoyable travel experience.
Similarly, it has been known as the cleanest airport with the kindliest staff in Africa. The airport has two passenger terminals that are well equipped with amenities such as 120 check-in stands, Travelators, passenger lifts, Shops, Restaurants and Cafes, conference rooms, lounges free Wi-Fi, Banks, Prayer rooms, Chapel, a MyCity bus station that handles easy movement in and out of the airport and an airport clinic.
Final thought
Airports are one of a country’s entry and exit points, hence it is often believed that the condition of the airport reflects on the nation as a whole. As a result of their efforts to maintain their airports in top condition, many African nations are recognized as having the continent’s best airports.
