Cape Town International Airport (CPT) recorded 11.1 million two-way passengers during 2025, surpassing its 2024 totals and setting a new record for the airport.
According to ACSA statistics, 3.3 million two-way international passengers passed through the airport’s international terminal in 2025, showing a 7% increase compared to the previous year. 2025 figures for domestic two-way passengers also increased by 7% with 7.8 million passengers.
The airport also set a new record for its December passenger figures with 1.1 million two-way passengers recorded at CPT in December 2025, marking an 8% year-on-year increase. Two-way international passengers for December 2025 totalled 364 000, reflecting a 10% year-on-year increase compared to December 2024. Domestic two-way passengers increased by 7%, reaching 754 000 passengers in December 2025.
“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 for Cape Town Air Access.
Looking ahead
In July 2026, LATAM will begin three-weekly flights into CPT. The 2025/26 summer season saw an increase in frequencies into Cape Town from United, Delta, Condor, KLM, Norse Atlantic, Air France, TAAG and Proflight Zambia.
Additionally, Air Tanzania’s new Dar es Salaam-Victoria Falls-Cape Town-Dar es Salaam triangular route is opening a new gateway for travellers to East Africa.
Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines will also increase frequencies to Cape Town in 2026.
Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth 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.”
