South Africa joins Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Algeria, Tanzania, and more as domestic tourism experiences significant growth across Africa this holiday season.

The rise in local travel is fueled by increasing demand for leisure and business trips, supported by improved connectivity, enhanced infrastructure, and a growing interest in exploring regional destinations. These countries are capitalizing on the festive period to boost internal tourism, with both residents and visitors flocking to popular cities, cultural landmarks, and scenic locales. As a result, domestic tourism is proving to be a vital driver of economic recovery across the continent.

1. South Africa

South Africa dominates Africa’s domestic aviation market, with around 1.8 million scheduled seats for the holiday period. This remarkable capacity highlights the strong travel demand between major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. South Africa’s well-established and extensive airline network, along with its economic stability, ensures that it remains the leader in Africa’s domestic aviation market, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

2. Nigeria

Nigeria stands as the second-largest domestic market in Africa, though it experienced a 7.5% decrease in available seats in December 2025. Despite high demand for air travel, the country faced challenges such as elevated airfares and limited aircraft availability, which hampered its capacity growth. This reduction underscores the difficulties airlines face in expanding their fleets and increasing services amidst rising operational costs and infrastructure constraints.

3. Kenya

Kenya ranks third in terms of domestic airline capacity, with about 470,000 seats scheduled during the festive season. The country’s aviation market benefits from increased flight frequencies on key routes, particularly between Nairobi and Mombasa. Holiday travel and strong business demand are driving this growth, demonstrating Kenya’s strategic position as a hub for both leisure tourism and business activities in East Africa.

4. Tanzania

Tanzania’s domestic market has seen one of the most impressive increases, expanding to over 415,000 seats. This surge reflects strong tourism demand, particularly for destinations like Zanzibar, as well as improved connectivity between cities like Dar es Salaam. The growing popularity of Tanzania as both a tourist destination and a business hub has led to greater demand for domestic flights, propelling its air travel sector to new heights.

5. Algeria

Algeria has experienced significant growth in its domestic aviation sector, with over 388,000 seats scheduled this festive season. The country’s vast size and the need for better connectivity between its cities have spurred this growth, with airlines working to provide more internal air travel options. The increase in capacity highlights Algeria’s commitment to improving its domestic aviation infrastructure and ensuring better access across its expansive territory.

6. Egypt

Egypt’s domestic aviation market has grown modestly, with around 391,000 seats scheduled for the holiday season. While Egypt continues to maintain a strong international presence, domestic travel has seen steady growth, albeit at a slower pace compared to some other African nations. This reflects a balanced approach to air travel expansion, with focus shared between international routes and domestic operations.

7. Morocco

Morocco’s domestic airline capacity has grown to over 240,000 seats, as the country benefits from increased demand between urban centers and tourist destinations. Morocco’s aviation sector is recovering strongly, with the country seeing more travelers exploring both its cities and coastal regions. The increase in domestic flights reflects a broader resurgence in travel, as both residents and visitors take advantage of Morocco’s improved internal connectivity.

8. Cape Verde

Although Cape Verde’s domestic market is smaller in absolute terms, the country has posted one of the highest percentage increases in airline capacity. The rise in demand for flights between the islands, driven by both local and international tourists, has prompted airlines to increase their services. This growth reflects Cape Verde’s growing appeal as a holiday destination, with airlines responding by expanding their offerings during the busy festive season.

9. Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s domestic aviation sector has experienced a slight decline in capacity compared to the previous year. Although the country is a major player in international aviation, the focus has shifted towards optimizing its broader network, which has led to a reduction in domestic flight services. This change underscores Ethiopia’s strategic focus on strengthening its international operations while adjusting its domestic services to align with overall network optimization.

10. Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has witnessed a sharp decline in domestic airline capacity, with a significant drop in the number of scheduled seats. The DRC faces several challenges in maintaining regular domestic flights, primarily due to the country’s vast size, infrastructure limitations, and political instability. The reduction in capacity reflects these challenges and the difficulties in maintaining consistent air services in a large, underdeveloped market.

South Africa joins Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Algeria, Tanzania, and more as domestic tourism drives significant growth across Africa this holiday season. Increased travel demand, enhanced connectivity, and a focus on local destinations are fueling this rise in regional tourism.

The festive season sees diverse trends across Africa’s aviation markets. While countries like South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya continue to experience growth in domestic airline capacity, others such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the DRC face challenges that limit their ability to expand. These variations highlight the unique obstacles and opportunities within Africa’s aviation landscape, from infrastructure limitations to shifting travel patterns. As Africa’s domestic markets continue to evolve, these trends will shape the future of air travel across the continent, with opportunities for growth balanced against the need to address logistical and economic challenges.