KIGALI – Skytrax has ranked Kigali International Airport as the best airport in the region and the eighth best in Africa for 2026, citing its strong infrastructure, cleanliness, and quality passenger services.
According to a report released on March 19, 2026, the airport was recognized for offering a safe and calm environment, efficient food and beverage services, and reliable customer care for travelers. The agency noted that despite being relatively small, the airport continues to experience increasing passenger traffic driven by the growth of RwandAir and improved aviation services.
The ranking considered several service indicators, including passenger assistance, communication, language support, and ease of movement within the airport. Kigali International Airport received high scores for helping passengers move easily without long walking distances and for having multilingual staff who support travelers effectively.
Renovation works at the airport, which began in July 2022, have also contributed to improved capacity, allowing the facility to accommodate more than 50 aircraft at the same time.
However, SkyTrax highlighted areas that still need improvement, including high prices of food and products and the need to increase shopping options for passengers.
In the Africa-wide ranking, Cape Town International Airport was named the best airport on the continent due to its modern infrastructure and excellent services, making it the only airport in Africa with a four-star rating.
- R. Tambo International Airport ranked second because of its high passenger traffic and global connectivity, while Marrakesh Menara Airport came third, recognized for its modern design and quality services.
Other airports in the top ten include King Shaka International Airport, Mohammed V International Airport, Cairo International Airport, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
Bole International Airport ranked just behind Kigali Airport but received only two stars due to concerns about security services, while Ivato International Airport ranked tenth, with SkyTrax noting that access and transportation to the airport still require improvement.
Overall, the ranking highlights Rwanda’s growing aviation sector and Kigali International Airport’s continued progress in providing quality services to passengers across the region
