Travel
Why More South Africans Are Flying Out of Cape Town Instead of Joburg

Cape Town is fast becoming the new take-off point for South Africans heading abroad. Once seen primarily as a leisure gateway for tourists flying into the country, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is now seeing more locals and visitors choosing to depart from its terminals even when Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International (JNB) remains the country’s main aviation hub.
Cape Town’s Rise As A Preferred Departure Point
According to BDO’s latest Tourism Trends report, Cape Town is gaining ground as a preferred departure airport for outbound South Africans. While international arrivals to South Africa haven’t increased overall, there’s been a notable shift from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
For the first seven months of 2025, CPT recorded arrivals up by 21% compared to 2019 and 5% higher than in 2024. In contrast, OR Tambo’s figures were 21% below 2019 levels, showing that the balance of air traffic is slowly changing.
Industry experts say this growth is largely driven by expanded air access and the convenience of direct international routes. Sharon Schierhout, Head of Supply at Club Travel, notes that more airlines are now flying straight into Cape Town, bypassing Johannesburg entirely.
“Direct flights have seen bigger demand, prompting some carriers to operate year-round or add extra frequencies,” she explained.
A Smoother, Shorter Journey
For travellers, it’s about more than just flight schedules it’s about experience. Many South Africans now opt to start their international trips in Cape Town when possible, citing shorter travel times, less airport stress, and fewer logistical hurdles.
“CPT is smaller, more efficient, and easier to navigate,” says Schierhout. “It’s closer to the city, and you don’t have the same long queues and re-check procedures as at JNB.”
Layovers at Johannesburg can add three to six hours to total journey time, especially when connecting to overseas destinations. For many, avoiding that hassle is worth paying a little extra.
Joburg Still Holds The Crown For Now
Not everyone agrees that Joburg is losing ground. Jonathan Gerber, CEO of Tag Travel, believes JNB remains the country’s dominant air hub. “Most South African air traffic still departs from OR Tambo,” he said. “Cape Town hasn’t taken flights away it’s just become more attractive for foreign airlines that want to serve the city directly.”
Gerber adds that Johannesburg’s strength lies in its connectivity both within Africa and globally and its ability to handle higher passenger volumes. “CPT may be on the rise, but JNB still leads when it comes to African and domestic routes,” he said.
Pricing, Demand, And The Road Ahead
Schierhout points out that while Cape Town may offer convenience, Joburg often offers better prices. “Airlines know CPT direct flights are in high demand, so they can price them higher, especially in peak season,” she said. “JNB has more seats and bigger planes, which means more competition and cheaper fares.”
Still, Cape Town’s momentum is undeniable. The airport’s success has been fueled by coordinated efforts from Wesgro, Acsa, and the private sector, who are all pushing for more routes and better infrastructure.
As the city gears up for further airport upgrades, travellers can expect more international options departing from the Mother City and possibly a reshaped future for South Africa’s air travel landscape.
{Source:Travel News}
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