Cape Town International Airport hits 10 million passengers per year

Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) processed more than 10 million passengers in the past financial year – the first time it hit this milestone since Covid-19.

CTIA achieved the milestone during the 2023/24 financial year. It was bolstered by processing more than 320,000 passengers in March.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) regional general manager Mark Maclean said they had recorded a steady increase in passenger volumes this year.

“International and regional passenger volumes have consistently exceeded historic passenger volumes, including March 2024,” he said.

The resurgence in passenger volumes followed a period of strong activity during the peak season. It points to a promising growth trajectory for CTIA.

To cope with the growing demand and increased flight frequencies, the CTIA is preparing to commence with expansion projects.

Plans include the construction of a new runway, upgrading its terminals, and refurbishment projects.

Apart from preparing for increased volumes, the upgrades will also improve airport operations and the passenger experience.

CTIA first achieved the 10 million passenger milestone in the 2016 calendar year.

The Western Cape’s former minister of economic opportunities, Alan Winde, described it as the airport’s “biggest milestone yet”.

At the time, Winde said the Western Cape was targeting the development and initiation of new routes to key strategic markets.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted air travel and the CTIA’s growth, it is back on track with strong growth.

Cape Town is an increasingly important city for local and international travellers, and many airlines have announced routes into and out of CTIA.

The latest was FlySafair. On 2 April 2024, it announced a new route to connect Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring the opposite corners of South Africa closer together, giving everyone an affordable way to do both the bush and the beach,” FlySafair said.