Cape Town International Airport saw a record-breaking 11.1-million two-way domestic and international passengers during 2025, and also surpassed its December 2024 international passenger record.

Almost 364 000 two-way international passengers were recorded in December 2025, at a growth rate of 10% year-on-year, out of a total of 1.12-million two-way passengers during the month – an 8% year-on-year increase.

This sets a new record for Cape Town and the Western Cape’s festive season, says air-route development promotion initiative Cape Town Air Access, which forms part of Western Cape tourism, trade and investment promotion agency Wesgro.

Further, of the total 11.1-million, 3.3-million two-way international passengers passed through the airport’s international terminal in 2025, which is a 7% increase compared with 2024.

Similarly, the number of domestic two-way passengers also increased by 7%, reaching 7.8-million two-way domestic passengers, Cape Town Air Access says, quoting from statistics released by State-owned management agency Airports Company South Africa.

Further, air cargo volumes continue to show year-on-year growth, with an increase of 42% for the first ten months of 2025, which highlights its role in the logistics sector in the province.

This year, improved connectivity and ongoing route expansions will enable further tourism growth, and Cape Town Air Access recently welcomed LATAM Airlines’ announcement of a new direct service between São Paulo and Cape Town, says Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander.

In July, LATAM will introduce three flights per week to Cape Town, marking the first South American carrier operating direct flights to the Mother City and further strengthening the Western Cape’s international connectivity.

Additionally, in December 2025, Air Tanzania launched a triangular route between Dar es Salaam, Victoria Falls and Cape Town, and then back to Dar Es Salaam, which has opened a new gateway for travellers to East Africa, she says.

Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines will also increase frequencies of flights to Cape Town International Airport this year, she adds.

Similarly, airlines United, Delta, Condor, KLM, Norse Atlantic, Air France, TAAG, Qatar Airways and Proflight Zambia also increased the frequency of their flights during the summer tourism season.

“The Western Cape aims to double tourism by 2035, as part of the Growth for Jobs Strategy. These figures demonstrate that we are on the road to achieving this,” she says.

“When you grow tourism, you stimulate growth, strengthen competitiveness and create jobs in communities across the province. We look forward to welcoming tourists from across South Africa and the world, with love from the locals, and showcasing the diversity of experiences on offer in our beautiful province.”

“The Western Cape is focused on the Growth for Jobs Strategy, and that tourism growth continues in our province is encouraging. When tourism grows, jobs increase and more opportunities are created for people in towns across the province,” says Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism provincial minister Dr Ivan Meyer.

“The aviation economy is a powerful driver of our tourism value proposition and a key catalyst for economic growth and jobs. When passengers fly to Cape Town, they spend in our hotels, restaurants and businesses, directly supporting employment across the city, says Cape Town Economic Growth MMC Alderman James Vos.

With tourism already employing nearly 7% of Cape Town's workforce, the focus now is to grow this beyond 10%, he adds.