Nigeria’s domestic airline market recorded a decline in available seats in December 2025, with total capacity dropping to 850,420 seats.
According to the figures drawn from OAG’s Africa’s Aviation Market Monthly Airline Data Updates for December 2025, which tracks airline capacity across key African markets, this represents a 7.5 per cent year-on-year decline, reflecting reduced activity across Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector.
The report shows that Nigeria recorded one of the steepest declines in domestic airline capacity among major African markets, with available seats dropping from 919,400 in December 2024 to 850,420 in December 2025.
By comparison, South Africa remained Africa’s largest domestic aviation market, recording 1,803,097 seats in December 2025, up from 1,686,956 seats a year earlier, representing a 6.9 per cent increase.
Kenya also posted growth, with domestic capacity rising from 420,534 seats in December 2024 to 456,500 seats in December 2025, an 8.6 per cent increase.
Tanzania recorded one of the strongest expansions on the continent, growing from 326,990 seats to 415,130 seats, a 27 per cent increase.
In North Africa, Egypt saw a modest rise from 382,157 seats to 391,736 seats, reflecting 2.5% growth, while Algeria recorded a stronger expansion, increasing from 308,039 seats to 388,731 seats, a 26.2% rise.
Morocco also expanded its domestic market, with seat capacity growing from 215,149 to 240,499, representing an 11.8% increase. Meanwhile, Cape Verde recorded the fastest percentage growth, with capacity rising from 69,493 seats to 92,924 seats, a 33.7% increase.
On the other hand, Ethiopia experienced a contraction, with domestic seat capacity declining from 401,972 to 389,562, while the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded one of the sharpest drops, falling from 142,201 seats to 101,598 seats during the same period.
