Cape Town International Airport Hits All Time Passenger Record After Standout 2025

Cape Town International Airport has its biggest year yet

If it felt like Cape Town International Airport was busier than ever last year, the numbers now confirm it. In 2025, the airport officially crossed a major milestone, handling more than 11 million two way passengers for the first time in its history.

According to figures released by Cape Town Air Access, the aviation initiative led by Wesgro, the airport processed 11.1 million arriving and departing passengers across domestic and international routes. It is the strongest performance the airport has ever recorded and a clear sign that travel demand into the Western Cape has fully rebounded.

For locals, it has meant longer queues and fuller terminals. For the tourism industry, it has meant one thing only: momentum.

International and domestic travel both on the rise

Data from Airports Company South Africa shows that growth was evenly spread across international and domestic travel.

International passenger numbers reached 3.3 million in 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to the previous year. Domestic travel mirrored that performance, with 7.8 million two way passengers also reflecting 7 percent growth.

This balance matters. Cape Town’s recovery has not only been driven by overseas tourists, but also by South Africans travelling for holidays, work, and family visits. That mix has helped stabilise the airport’s year round performance rather than relying only on peak seasons.

A festive season that rewrote the record books

December once again proved why it is the Western Cape’s golden travel month. During the festive period, Cape Town International handled 1.12 million passengers, an 8 percent increase year on year and the busiest December ever recorded at the airport.

International travel stood out in particular. Nearly 364,000 two way international passengers passed through the airport in December alone, surpassing the previous year’s record and delivering 10 percent growth.

Why this matters for the Western Cape

Wesgro CEO and Cape Town Air Access spokesperson Wrenelle Stander said the figures align directly with the province’s long term economic goals.

The Western Cape has set its sights on doubling tourism by 2035 as part of its Growth for Jobs Strategy. According to Stander, the steady rise in passenger numbers shows that the province is tracking in the right direction.

Beyond tourism, increased air traffic supports jobs across hospitality, logistics, events, retail, and small businesses that rely on visitor spend. For Cape Town, every full flight has ripple effects far beyond the runway.

More flights and new routes on the way

The growth story is not expected to slow down in 2026. Cape Town Air Access has confirmed several connectivity wins that will further boost passenger numbers.

LATAM Airlines will launch a direct route between São Paulo and Cape Town in July 2026, strengthening ties between South America and the Western Cape. Air Tanzania is also introducing a triangular service linking Dar es Salaam, Victoria Falls and Cape Town.

In addition, established long haul carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines are set to increase flight frequencies following strong seasonal demand.

For travellers, this means more choice and potentially better pricing. For the city, it means Cape Town’s position as Africa’s most connected leisure destination continues to strengthen.

A milestone year with bigger ambitions ahead

Cape Town International Airport’s record breaking 2025 was not the result of a single good month, but a year of consistent growth backed by tourism demand, airline confidence and strategic planning.

As one frequent flyer summed it up online, “Cape Town is no longer bouncing back, it’s moving forward.”

With new routes launching and global demand still strong, 2025 may end up being remembered not just as a record year, but as the moment Cape Town’s aviation story entered a new chapter.

{Source:The South African }

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com