Acsa Soars With Billion Rand Profit, Signalling South Africa’s Travel Rebound

South Africa’s aviation heartbeat just got louder. Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has announced a dramatic turnaround, posting a profit after tax of R1.1 billion for the 2024/25 financial year more than double the R472 million it reported last year.

For a state-owned company that was fighting to stay afloat during the pandemic, this is a milestone that not only reassures investors but also signals a broader recovery for the country’s travel and tourism industry.

From Turbulence to Takeoff

Acsa’s results were unveiled in Kempton Park by CEO Mpumi Mpofu, who didn’t sugarcoat the journey. She described the year as “a story of contrasts” balancing strong financial gains with operational challenges that tested the company’s resilience.

It wasn’t long ago that O.R. Tambo, Cape Town International, and King Shaka airports were ghost towns under strict COVID-19 restrictions. Passenger numbers collapsed, international flights were scarce, and Acsa’s revenue plunged. Fast-forward to 2025, and terminals are once again buzzing with travellers, flight announcements, and long queues at coffee counters.

Why This Matters Locally

Air travel is not just about planes in the sky it’s about the thousands of South Africans employed across airports, from ground staff and cabin crews to car rental agents and restaurant workers. Acsa’s rebound offers hope that jobs lost during the pandemic can be restored and that South Africa remains an attractive destination for airlines and tourists alike.

For Johannesburg residents, O.R. Tambo is more than an airport. It’s the city’s global gateway a hub where families reunite, migrant workers fly home, and business travellers fuel the economy. Seeing the airport operator in the black again is a symbolic win for Gauteng’s economy.

Looking Ahead

While the billion-rand figure is impressive, Mpofu stressed that it wasn’t achieved without discipline. She credited “commercial focus, executional rigour, and renewed accountability” as driving factors words that signal Acsa knows it must maintain momentum in a competitive global aviation landscape.

With South Africa pushing hard to grow tourism and position itself as a continental hub, Acsa’s performance sets the tone. A strong airport operator means more flight routes, better infrastructure, and ultimately a smoother travel experience for millions of passengers.

Source: SABC News 

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