Africa is a huge continent with numerous metropolitan areas, so while the continent doesn't boast as many airplanes per capita as Europe or the US, you've still got a lot of options when searching for airline carriers based in Africa. It pays to do your research on African airlines before you make a trip and look into the safety history of a company, especially smaller regional carriers.

Choosing the right African airline carriers for your business needs is often a matter of finding a company that serves the region or country you need to visit. When you choose airlines in Africa, you can:

1. Find intercontinental airline carriers based in Africa and visit the world.
2. Fly with a West Africa airline servicing regional destinations.
3. Do business with a South Africa airline with flights to multiple cities in the region.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find intercontinental airlines within Africa

Many smaller African airline companies serve regional destinations, but only the larger carriers fly to international destinations. Most international carriers will have flights to a number of cities in Europe, where you can transfer for further destinations, while others fly directly to Asia or the Americas.

I recommend: EgyptAir is Egypt's national airline and one of the largest flight carriers in Africa. They offer international flights to multiple countries in Africa, as well as destinations in the US, Europe, and Asia. Ethiopian Airlines has flights to an extensive number of destinations within Africa, and also flies to the US, Europe the Middle East and Asia.

Fly with a West African airline service

Western Africa is a large region comprised of more than a dozen countries with numerous metropolitan hubs. If you do frequent business in this region, look for a regional African airline service to carry you to your destination.

I recommend: Air Senegal is the country's national airline carrier, serving destinations in France, Senegal and a number of other countries in the region, including Mali, Benin, Ivory Coast, and Niger. Air Burkina is based in Burkina Faso and serves airports throughout West Africa, and also offers bi-weekly flights to Paris.

Fly on African airlines serving southern and eastern Africa

A number of regional airlines make frequent trips around southern and eastern Africa. The country of South Africa boasts a number of intercontinental airlines, as well as carriers throughout the region.

I recommend: South Africa Airways is South Africa's largest airline, with routes to Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia. They also have an extensive network of regional flights throughout Southern, Western, and East Africa. Kenya Airways offers frequent flights to destinations throughout all of Africa, as well as a limited number of airports in Asia.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business takes you to the same destination in Africa on a regular basis, look for African airline carriers offering reward programs. Compare frequent flyer benefits of different companies and be rewarded for your loyalty to a single airline.