Cape Town International sets all-time passenger record high

Cape Town International Airport has seen a record-breaking 11.1 million two-way passengers during 2025 - the first time the airport has reached this total. The record increase comes as the airport surpassed its December 2024 international passenger record, with a 10% year-on-year increase, and recorded just under 364,000 two-way international passengers. 

This is also the first time the airport has exceeded its pre-COVID levels, when the airport handled approximately 10.9 million total passengers in 2019.

“The Western Cape is on a mission to double tourism by 2035, as part of the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs Strategy. These record-breaking figures demonstrate that we are firmly on the road towards achieving this objective," said Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson of Cape Town Air Access. 

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 represents a significant 7% increase compared to 2024, with the number of domestic two-way passengers also rising by 7% to 7.8 million. Air cargo volumes continue to show year-over-year growth, with a 42% increase for the first 10 months of 2025, underscoring their importance to the logistics sector in the province.

Specifically for December 2025, 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. 

"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," added Stander. "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.” 

The growth benchmark arrives at an opportune time, as 2026 will see increased connectivity and ongoing route expansions for the city.

• LATAM Airlines: Launching direct São Paulo (GRU) - Cape Town (CPT) flights from July 2026, three times per week — first South American carrier to operate direct to Cape Town.
• Air Tanzania: Introduced a triangular route, Dar es Salaam - Victoria Falls - Cape Town - Dar es Salaam, opening a new East African gateway.
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines: Increasing flight frequencies to CPT in 2026.
• Summer 2025 frequency increases: United, Delta, Condor, KLM, Norse Atlantic, Air France, TAAG, Qatar Airways, and Proflight Zambia expanded services to Cape Town.