Cape Town International Airport has shattered records, welcoming an unprecedented 11.1 million passengers in 2025.
The record-breaking year was capped by strong December performance, with the airport surpassing its 2024 international passenger record. Just under 364 000 two-way international passengers travelled through the terminal last month, representing a 10% year-on-year increase.
Early momentum signals strong year
The achievement was signalled early when Cape Town International Airport surpassed one million passengers in October 2025 – a milestone typically reserved for the busy December holiday period.
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Thabo Phateng, acting regional general manager for Cape Town International Airport, Cluster 2, said then the early peak signals a robust start to the travel season and reflects growing confidence in South Africa’s tourism and aviation sectors.
According to statistics from Airports Company South Africa, 3.3 million two-way international passengers used the airport’s international terminal throughout 2025, marking a 7% increase compared to 2024. Domestic passenger numbers also grew by 7%, reaching 7.8 million for the year.
Record-breaking December performance
December 2025 proved particularly strong, with 1.12 million two-way passengers recorded – an 8% year-on-year increase. Domestic passengers numbered 754 000 for the month, up 7% from the previous year.
The festive season performance represents another record-breaking December for the Western Cape province.
Air cargo volumes showed substantial growth, increasing 42% compared to 2024 for the first 10 months of 2025, highlighting the sector’s importance to provincial logistics.
New routes strengthen connectivity
Looking ahead to 2026, Cape Town Air Access recently welcomed LATAM Airlines’ announcement of a new direct service between São Paulo and Cape Town, beginning in July 2026 with three weekly flights. This marks the first South American carrier to operate direct flights to Cape Town.
In December, Air Tanzania launched a triangular route connecting Dar es Salaam, Victoria Falls, and Cape Town, opening new pathways to East Africa.
Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines will also increase frequencies to Cape Town in 2026.
Tourism targets drive growth
Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and official spokesperson of Cape Town Air Access, said the figures demonstrate progress towards the Western Cape’s mission to double tourism by 2035.
“When you grow tourism, you stimulate growth, strengthen competitiveness and create jobs in communities across the province,” Stander said.
Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said tourism growth directly translates to job creation across the province.
Mayco member for economic growth Alderman James Vos emphasised aviation’s role as a catalyst for economic growth, noting that tourism already employs nearly 7% of Cape Town’s workforce, with plans to grow this beyond 10%.
Stander added that this achievement was made possible through partnerships including Airports Company South Africa, South African Tourism, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, the V&A Waterfront, and DHL.
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