Nigeria’s scheduled domestic airline capacity declined to 978,000 seats in November 2026, falling under the 1 million-seat milestone recorded in October regardless of sustaining robust year-on-year development.
This is in accordance to OAG’s Africa’s Aviation Market: Monthly Airline Data Updates, November 2026 version.
The newest determine represents a 29.1% improve from roughly 757,400 seats in November 2025, however a discount of about 22,000 seats from October’s degree.
Domestic airline capacity falls under a million
Nigeria recorded a 25.3% year-on-year improve in whole scheduled airline capacity to 1.296 million seats in November 2026, up from 1.035 million a 12 months earlier.
The nation added roughly 261,800 seats throughout the interval, recording the quickest development price amongst Africa’s 10 largest aviation markets.
- Egypt remained Africa’s largest aviation market, with capacity rising 9.8% to 3.18 million seats, whereas South Africa ranked second with 2.36 million seats, down 2%.
- Morocco recorded 2.05 million seats, up 9.1%, whereas Ethiopia had 1.39 million seats, representing a 5.2% improve.
- Nigeria ranked fifth with 1.296 million seats, forward of Algeria at 948,334, Kenya at 896,789 and Tanzania at 644,025.
- Ghana accomplished the highest 10 with 292,113 seats, whereas South Africa and Tunisia have been the one two markets to file year-on-year declines.
Within Nigeria, domestic capacity fell from approximately 1 million seats in October to 978,000 in November, a month-on-month discount of about 22,000 seats. However, in contrast with November 2025, capacity elevated by 220,600 seats, representing year-on-year development of 29.1%.
South Africa remained Africa’s largest domestic aviation market, with about 1.6 million seats, though its capacity declined by 3.8% year-on-year. Nigeria’s domestic development additionally exceeded Egypt’s 18.4% improve and Congo’s 26% development.
Africa’s airline capacity reaches 25.2 million seats
Across the continent, whole scheduled airline capacity elevated by 6.3% year-on-year to 25.2 million seats in November 2026, reflecting development in each worldwide and domestic providers.
- International capacity accounted for 77% of the full, rising 5.6% to 19.28 million seats from 18.28 million a 12 months earlier.
- Domestic capacity grew sooner, rising by 8.6% to 5.90 million seats from 5.44 million in November 2025.
- North Africa remained the biggest regional aviation market, with capacity to and from the area reaching 7 million seats, a rise of 530,000 seats year-on-year.
- Western Europe adopted with 4.5 million seats, including 156,400 seats, whereas Central and West Africa recorded the quickest regional development at 14.5%, equal to 443,600 extra seats.
Europe remained the biggest worldwide vacation spot marketplace for African airways, with 9.7 million seats, adopted by the Middle East with 4.35 million and intra-African routes with 4.16 million.
Rising capacity places stress on Nigerian airports
Nigeria’s growth in scheduled airline seats comes because the aviation system continues to face congestion and flight delays. OAG has beforehand attributed the nation’s capacity development to forex reforms, a new aircraft leasing agreement and elevated confidence amongst airways working in Nigeria.
- Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited is contemplating a coordinated slot system at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Lagos to cut back congestion throughout peak departure intervals. Its Chief Operating Officer, Remi Jibodu, stated a number of airways schedule flights across the similar time, significantly within the morning, placing stress on airport services and operations.
- Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority information confirmed that 4,765 of the 7,961 domestic flights operated by 15 airways in August 2026 have been delayed, whereas 36 have been cancelled.
- Of the delayed flights, 642 have been delayed by no less than two hours, together with 235 delayed by three hours or extra.
- United Nigeria Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, stated congestion can stop plane from taking off even when airways are prepared.
- ValueJet’s Chief Commercial Officer, Trevor Henry, stated congestion can happen at check-in areas, boarding lounges, safety factors and through taxiing.
Olawuyi additionally referred to as for delay statistics to distinguish between disruptions inside airways’ management and people brought on by airports, climate or different exterior elements.
