Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir lead African aviation in 2026 Skytrax rankings

The 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards have highlighted significant achievements for African carriers. Ethiopian Airlines has been named the best airline in Africa, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s position as a major aviation hub. The carrier operates a large fleet, including Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, and continues to expand its global network.

EgyptAir achieved notable recognition, being named the ‘World’s Most Improved Airline 2026’ by Skytrax. The airline also climbed to 46th place in the global rankings, entering the top 50 airlines worldwide. This achievement drew official congratulations from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, both of whom praised the national carrier’s modernization efforts and service improvements.

Other top-performing African airlines in the rankings include Air Mauritius, Royal Air Maroc, and RwandAir. The awards, determined by passenger voting, reflect the growing competitiveness of the African aviation sector despite ongoing challenges such as high operating costs and infrastructure constraints.