Royal Air Maroc is maintaining its position as the fourth-largest airline in Africa in September 2026. According to data from OAG, the Moroccan flag carrier has 793,257 scheduled seats for the month, putting it ahead of Air Algérie, which offers 756,627 seats.
Royal Air Maroc keeps its lead over Air Algérie
Royal Air Maroc remains firmly in the African rankings despite intense competition across the continent.
With 793,257 scheduled seats in September, the Moroccan airline holds a lead of 36,630 seats over Air Algérie.
The gap is still relatively narrow, but it confirms Royal Air Maroc’s status among the continent’s main carriers.
OAG’s figures are based on airlines’ scheduled capacity. They therefore do not directly reflect the actual number of passengers carried.
Ethiopian Airlines dominates the African rankings
At the top of the table, Ethiopian Airlines continues to enjoy a very comfortable lead.
The Ethiopian airline is scheduling around 2.087 million seats in September, far ahead of Safair with 1.076 million seats.
Egyptair completes the podium with 890,773 scheduled seats.
Royal Air Maroc follows with 793,257 seats, while Air Algérie ranks fifth with 756,627 seats.
African air capacity is growing strongly
This performance comes in the context of a particularly dynamic African air transport market.
OAG reports that Africa’s total air capacity continues to grow in September. North Africa in particular is recording annual growth of more than 12% in scheduled capacity.
Morocco is benefiting fully from this momentum. Its strategic geographic location, its international network and Casablanca’s role as a connecting hub are all helping to support the expansion of Royal Air Maroc.
The airline is continuing to grow at a time when demand for international travel remains strong.
Royal Air Maroc accelerates its expansion
September’s results are part of a year already marked by a significant increase in the national carrier’s capacity.
Royal Air Maroc is seeking in particular to strengthen its international network and to support the growth of air traffic to and from Morocco.
This strategy comes as the African aviation sector is experiencing major expansion. OAG notes a 2.6% increase in global capacity in September 2026, while some African regions are recording much stronger growth.
For Morocco, the challenge now is to turn this additional capacity into more international connections and to further consolidate Casablanca’s position as one of the leading air hubs on the continent.
A still narrow gap with Air Algérie
The comparison with Air Algérie is closely watched.
With a difference of 36,630 seats, Royal Air Maroc keeps its edge, but the margin remains relatively limited. Changes in scheduling can therefore shift the ranking from one month to the next.
For now, however, the Moroccan airline continues to stay ahead of its Algerian counterpart.
Fourth place confirms the weight of Royal Air Maroc in the African aviation landscape and highlights the acceleration of its capacity at a time when traffic across the continent is still growing.
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