By Rene Anthere Rwanyange
RwandAir has entered the top five best airlines in Africa, ranking fifth in the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards as Rwanda’s national carrier continues to strengthen Kigali’s role as an aviation gateway.
The ranking puts RwandAir among established continental carriers with extensive international networks, including Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, Air Mauritius and Royal Air Maroc.
Skytrax’s 2026 list of the 10 best airlines in Africa is:
1. Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines, the national carrier of Ethiopia, retains the top position in Africa. Addis Ababa is its principal hub, supporting a large international network linking Africa with Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
The airline operates a large fleet that includes Airbus A350s and Boeing 787, 777 and 737 aircraft. Its scale and extensive network make it one of Africa’s major international carriers.
2. EgyptAir
EgyptAir, Egypt’s flag carrier, ranks second. Based at Cairo International Airport, the airline has operated for more than eight decades and connects Egypt with destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.
It operates both passenger and cargo services, with a fleet including Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
3. Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius, the national airline of Mauritius, ranks third. The carrier connects the Indian Ocean island with African and international destinations and uses Mauritius as an important gateway between Africa and other global markets.
Its fleet includes Airbus A350-900, A330-900neo and ATR 72 aircraft, while partnerships extend its reach beyond its direct network.
4. Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc, Morocco’s flag carrier, takes fourth place. Its main hub at Casablanca allows the airline to connect African cities with Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Its geographical position gives it an important role in linking African passengers with international markets.
5. RwandAir
For Rwanda, the fifth-place ranking represents a significant position in the continent’s aviation sector.
RwandAir has built Kigali into its principal hub, connecting the Rwandan capital with cities across Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Its network includes destinations such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, London, Brussels, Paris and Dubai. The airline has also expanded its East African network with services to destinations including Mombasa and Zanzibar.
RwandAir has also pursued partnerships to increase connections beyond its own aircraft network. Its 2026 codeshare and interline agreement with EgyptAir gives passengers additional connections through Cairo to destinations including Rome and Amman.
The Skytrax ranking comes alongside recognition for RwandAir’s service. The airline was also named Best Airline Staff in Africa in the 2026 awards, according to reports on the awards.
6. South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa, ranks sixth. Johannesburg serves as an important base for the airline, which provides connections between South Africa and several African and international destinations. Its position reflects the continuing role of South Africa as one of the continent’s major aviation markets.
7. Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways, Kenya’s national carrier, ranks seventh. Its main hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport supports connections across Africa and to destinations outside the continent. The airline plays an important role in connecting East Africa with international markets.
8. FlySafair
FlySafair ranks eighth and is one of the leading low-cost carriers in South Africa. Unlike the large international network carriers higher on the list, its business is strongly focused on affordable domestic air travel. Its presence in the top 10 highlights the growing role of low-cost airlines in Africa’s passenger market.
9. Fastjet
Fastjet ranks ninth. The low-cost carrier has developed a regional model focused on connecting cities in parts of Southern and Eastern Africa.
Its position alongside larger full-service airlines shows the diversity of Africa’s aviation market, where regional and low-cost carriers operate alongside international network airlines.
10. LIFT
LIFT completes the African top 10. The South African airline has built its business around domestic routes, particularly connections between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
The new-generation carrier has differentiated itself through flexible fares and customer-focused services, while remaining primarily focused on the South African market.
RwandAir’s growing continental profile
The 2026 ranking places RwandAir between four of Africa’s established international carriers and five airlines with strong regional or domestic operations. The 2026 ranking therefore places RwandAir in the continent’s top five while showing the increasingly diverse nature of Africa’s aviation industry.
For Rwanda, the result puts the national carrier among the continent’s leading airlines at a time when African aviation is seeking stronger connections between cities, regions and global markets.
RwandAir’s Kigali hub gives it a distinct position in this competition. Rather than concentrating mainly on one domestic market, the airline’s strategy is centred on connecting Rwanda with African destinations while providing onward links to Europe and the Middle East.
For RwandAir, the fifth-place position provides another international measure of the airline’s growing profile, while its staff-service recognition puts customer experience at the centre of its continental reputation.
RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo says that the staff award belongs to the airline’s employees, whose dedication and professionalism contribute to the passenger experience.
The airline currently employs more than 2,300 people, according to RwandAir, and continues to develop its workforce through programmes including the RISE Graduate Development Programme and the RwandAir Cadet Pilot Programme.
The latest awards build on RwandAir’s previous recognition. In 2025, it was named Best Regional Airline in Africa at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, while in 2026 it received the Best Cabin Service in Africa award at the APEX Awards.
The Skytrax results are based on passenger assessments collected through the organisation’s global airline survey. More than 325 airlines were included in the 2026 survey, with responses from passengers representing more than 100 nationalities.
As competition increases among Africa’s airlines, RwandAir’s continued challenge will be to expand connectivity, strengthen its Kigali hub and maintain the service standards that have helped place it among Africa’s top five.
