Airport staff play a crucial role in shaping the travel experience, from check-in and security to immigration, customer assistance and boarding. Friendly, efficient and helpful frontline workers can make a significant difference to passengers’ journeys.
The 2026 World Airport Awards by Skytrax has ranked the African airports with the best staff service, with Cape Town International Airport in South Africa emerging as the continent’s top performer.
The rankings assess the quality of service provided by airport employees, taking into account factors such as friendliness, efficiency and attitude across various customer-facing positions.
Skytrax’s global passenger survey covered more than 575 airports and attracted responses from travellers representing over 100 nationalities. The 2026 survey was conducted between August 2025 and February 2026.
Below are the top 10 airports in Africa for staff service in 2026:
- Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
Cape Town International Airport has been named Africa’s best airport for staff service in 2026.
The airport also secured several other major honours, including Africa’s Best Airport for the 11th consecutive year and the continent’s Cleanest Airport.
Its performance highlights Cape Town’s continued strength in delivering a positive passenger experience, with staff service contributing significantly to its reputation.
- Kigali International Airport, Rwanda
Kigali International Airport placed second in Africa, recording one of East Africa’s strongest performances in the category.
The ranking reflects the airport’s reputation for providing efficient and customer-oriented services as Rwanda continues to develop its aviation and tourism sectors.
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s major international gateway came in third.
Addis Ababa Bole serves as a major transit hub for passengers travelling between Africa and destinations across Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world.
Its position in the ranking demonstrates the importance of quality customer service at one of the continent’s busiest connecting airports.
- Marrakech Menara Airport, Morocco
Marrakech Menara Airport ranked fourth, making Morocco one of the leading countries in the list.
The airport serves Marrakech, one of Morocco’s major tourism centres, and welcomes significant numbers of international travellers each year.
- King Shaka International Airport, Durban, South Africa
King Shaka International Airport in Durban took the fifth position.
Its inclusion means South Africa had two airports among the top five, further highlighting the country’s strong performance in airport service standards.
- Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco
Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport ranked sixth.
The facility is one of Morocco’s key international gateways and provides important connections between the country, other African nations, Europe and international destinations.
- O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport placed seventh.
As one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, its appearance in the ranking gives South Africa three airports among the continent’s top 10 for staff service.
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius
Mauritius’ Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport secured eighth place.
The airport is an important entry point for tourists visiting the island, making passenger service a key part of Mauritius’ tourism and aviation experience.
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ranked ninth.
The Nairobi-based airport is a major aviation hub in East Africa and serves as an important connection point for passengers travelling within Africa and to international destinations.
- Cairo International Airport, Egypt
Cairo International Airport completed the African top 10.
Egypt’s principal international airport is a major aviation gateway, connecting passengers between Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Asian airports dominate global ranking
Despite Cape Town’s strong performance in Africa, the continent still has room to improve when compared with the world’s leading airports for staff service.
Tokyo Narita International Airport was ranked the World’s Best Airport Staff in 2026, followed by Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya and Singapore Changi Airport. Seoul Incheon International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport rounded out the global top five.
The results highlight the continued dominance of Asian airports in the staff-service category. However, Cape Town’s top position in Africa shows that the continent is capable of competing strongly in passenger-focused service.
The 2026 rankings also underscore the growing importance of the human element in air travel. Beyond infrastructure, connectivity and terminal facilities, the professionalism, friendliness and efficiency of airport staff remain key factors in determining how passengers perceive their overall airport experience
By: Prince Martey-Sogar