Cape Town’s status as one of the world’s most desirable destinations was reinforced in 2025, when Cape Town International Airport surpassed a major milestone. For the first time, the airport recorded more than 11 million two-way passengers in a single year, reflecting growing global demand for the Mother City and the Western Cape.
December proved particularly busy, with record international and domestic passenger numbers during the festive season. For locals, the impact has been easy to spot: fuller flights, busier hotels, and a summer buzz that now stretches beyond the traditional peak period.
Building global connections
Much of this momentum is the result of sustained work to strengthen air connectivity. Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, has focused on attracting new routes and increasing flight frequencies to support tourism, trade and investment.
The strategy has reshaped Cape Town’s international flight network, positioning the city as an increasingly accessible gateway at the southern tip of Africa.
New routes, new horizons
Among the most significant announcements is LATAM Airlines’ new direct service between São Paulo and Cape Town, set to launch in July 2026 with three flights per week. The route marks the first time a South American carrier will operate direct flights to the Mother City, opening a new travel corridor between the continents.
Connectivity across Africa is also expanding. Air Tanzania recently launched a triangular service linking Dar es Salaam, Victoria Falls and Cape Town, while increased frequencies from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines will further strengthen long-haul and regional access in 2026.
This past summer season also saw major frequency increases from a wide range of international and regional carriers, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Condor, KLM, Norse Atlantic Airways, Air France, TAAG Angola Airlines and Proflight Zambia.
From runway to real livelihoods
While new routes fuel travel excitement, their impact is felt far beyond the airport. Each arriving flight supports hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, tour operators, wine farms and transport services across the Western Cape.
Tourism already plays a vital role in employment throughout the province, and improved air access helps ensure that growth reaches towns and communities well beyond Cape Town’s city centre. As visitor numbers rise, so do opportunities for small businesses and local entrepreneurs.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond
With record passenger growth behind it and a strong pipeline of new and expanded routes ahead, Cape Town’s aviation outlook is firmly upward. The focus now is on managing growth sustainably — welcoming more visitors while protecting the lifestyle, natural beauty and sense of place that define the Western Cape.
If 2025 was the year the city broke records, 2026 looks set to be the year Cape Town fully claims its place as a confident, globally connected gateway — one flight at a time.
