- Cape Town International Airport recorded a record-breaking 11.1 million two-way passengers (domestic and international) in 2025.
- In December 2025 specifically, the airport surpassed its 2024 record, with 364 000 two-way international passengers, an increase of 10% year-on-year. Domestic two-way passengers increased by 7% reaching 754 000 that month.
- Air cargo volumes continue to grow, with an increase of 42% compared to 2024 for the first 10 months of 2025.
Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, celebrates another record-breaking year for Cape Town International Airport, as it recorded a record-breaking 11.1 million two-way passengers during 2025. This is the first time it has reached this total. The airport also surpassed its December 2024 international passenger record last month, with just under 364 000 two-way international passengers recorded, at a growth rate of 10% year-on-year. This is a new record for Cape Town and the Western Cape’s festive season.
According to statistics released by Airports Company South Africa, 3.3 million two-way international passengers passed through the airport’s international terminal in 2025. This marks a significant 7% increase compared to 2024, with the number of domestic two-way passengers also increasing by 7% and reaching 7.8 million. Air cargo volumes continue to show year-on-year growth, with an increase of 42% for the first 10 months of 2025, showcasing its importance to the logistics sector in the province.
For the month of December 2025 specifically, 1.12 million two-way passengers were recorded at Cape Town International, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase. This represents another record-breaking December for the province.
Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson of Cape Town Air Access, said: “The Western Cape is on a mission to double tourism by 2035, as part of Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs Strategy. These record-breaking figures demonstrate that we are firmly on the road towards achieving this objective. When you grow tourism, you stimulate growth, strengthen competitiveness and create jobs in communities across the province. That is why it is such an important priority for Wesgro. We look forward to welcoming tourists from across South Africa and the world, with love from the locals, and showcasing the diversity of experiences on offer in our beautiful province.”
As we look ahead to 2026, improved connectivity and ongoing route expansions will enable further tourism growth. Cape Town Air Access recently welcomed LATAM Airlines’ announcement of a new direct service between São Paulo (GRU) and Cape Town (CPT). Beginning in July 2026, LATAM will introduce three flights per week to Cape Town, marking the first South American carrier operating direct flights to the Mother City and further strengthening the Western Cape’s international connectivity. Just last month, Air Tanzania launched a Triangular route between Dar es Salaam – Victoria Falls – Cape Town – Dar Es Salaam, opening a new gateway for travellers to East Africa. Furthermore, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines will increase frequencies to CPT in 2026.
Additionally, this summer season brought major frequency increases from United, Delta, Condor, KLM, Norse Atlantic, Air France, TAAG, Qatar Airways, and Proflight Zambia.
‘‘The Western Cape has a laser focus on realising the objectives of the Growth for Jobs Strategy, and so I am delighted that tourism growth continues in our province. When tourism grows, jobs increase, and more opportunities are created for people in towns across the province. The Western Cape Government looks forward to another successful year in 2026, as we work towards our ambitious goal of doubling tourism by 2035,” added Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, said: “One of the most rewarding parts of my role is working with the Air Access team to secure new routes and, importantly, more direct flights to Cape Town. The aviation economy is a powerful driver of our tourism value proposition and a key catalyst for economic growth and jobs. I’ve been holding thumbs for us to pass the 11-million-passenger mark, so this milestone is especially encouraging. When passengers fly to Cape Town, they spend in our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, directly supporting employment across the city. With tourism already employing nearly 7% of our workforce, my focus is to grow this beyond 10% by ensuring everything we do, from flights to campaigns, delivers real results.”
‘‘This achievement would not have been possible without our Cape Town Air Access partners, Airports Company South Africa, South African Tourism, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism, as well as our private sector partners, the V&A Waterfront and DHL. We thank them for their ongoing support,” concluded Stander.
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About Cape Town Air Access
Cape Town Air Access is a global award-winning air-route development project, acting as the focal point for pro-active air route development, for both passengers and air cargo, in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The project is powered by Wesgro - The Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, and through a multi-party collaborative effort between six government entities and the private sector, we strive to improve air connectivity and capacity for the Western Cape province whilst increasing economic competitiveness and job creation.