Nigeria’s Air Peace has emerged as the fastest-growing airline among Africa’s 10 largest carriers by scheduled seat capacity, after expanding its capacity by nearly 55 per cent in one year.
According to the latest African aviation data from global aviation analytics firm OAG, Air Peace scheduled 354,804 seats for September 2026, compared with 229,412 seats in the corresponding period of 2025.
The increase of about 125,400 seats represented year-on-year growth of 54.7 per cent, the fastest rate recorded among Africa’s top 10 airlines.
The growth also returned Air Peace to the ranking of Africa’s 10 largest airlines by scheduled seat capacity, placing the Nigerian carrier in 10th position.
Air Peace had briefly dropped out of the top 10 in August after previously occupying 10th position. Its September return saw it replace Kenya Airways in the ranking.
Royal Air Maroc recorded the second-fastest growth among the leading airlines, expanding its capacity by 19.2 per cent, significantly below Air Peace’s 54.7 per cent increase.
Despite Air Peace recording the fastest growth rate, Ethiopian Airlines remained Africa’s largest carrier by scheduled seat capacity, with approximately 2.09 million seats in September, representing an increase of about 10 per cent.
Safair ranked second with about 1.08 million scheduled seats, while EgyptAir followed in third place with approximately 891,000 seats. Royal Air Maroc and Air Algérie completed the top five.
Air Peace’s expansion came amid wider growth in Nigeria’s aviation market. Nigeria recorded 1.19 million scheduled seats in September, representing a 37.4 per cent increase from the corresponding period last year and the fastest growth among Africa’s 10 largest country aviation markets.
Domestic capacity in Nigeria grew even faster, rising by 44.8 per cent to approximately 877,000 scheduled seats.
OAG linked the wider increase in Nigerian aviation capacity to factors including currency reforms, aircraft-leasing arrangements and renewed confidence among airlines operating in the country.
The development comes as Air Peace continues to expand its fleet and route network across domestic, regional and international markets.
The carrier has added aircraft to its fleet over the past year, including a Boeing 737-700 in November 2025, a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft in May 2026 and an Embraer 190 in June.
Across Africa, scheduled airline capacity increased by 9.4 per cent year-on-year to 25.8 million seats in September.
International services accounted for 78 per cent of total capacity, while domestic capacity grew by 11.6 per cent.
The figures measure scheduled seats offered by airlines rather than actual passenger numbers, revenues or profitability.
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