Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has reported a resounding success during the 2025 peak travel period, as festive season festivities saw an impressive influx in passenger traffic.
In December 2025, the ACSA network processed a staggering 4,013,823 passengers, translating to a remarkable 98% recovery to pre-pandemic levels and an 8% year-on-year increase in total air traffic.
“This strong rebound was driven by the restoration of key international routes, new airline entrants, and increased flight frequencies,” noted an ACSA, highlighting the various factors that spurred this revitalisation of air travel.
December 12, 2025, marked a historic peak in the network's operations, where a substantial 143,135 passengers were processed, accompanied by 1,352 air traffic movements.
It is revealed that both O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), along with King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), surpassed their traffic projections, underscoring the operational efficiency and resilience of the ACSA network.
“ACSA’s infrastructure performed admirably throughout the peak period, supported by a comprehensive resource plan that allowed the network to handle a significant increase in both passenger volumes and aircraft movements. Additionally, operational challenges such as weather disruptions were managed swiftly to minimize the impacton passengers.”
On-time performance review
Despite an overall seamless operational flow, the network averaged an On-Time Performance (OTP) rate of 77.5%, falling short of the target of 88.5%. This deviation was mainly attributed to severe weather conditions in Europe that delayed incoming international flights. Domestic flights, however, showcased greater resilience, achieving a commendable 79% OTP in contrast to 71% for international flights.
Record-breaking traffic figures
Amidst these figures, ACSA highlighted two airports that recorded exceptional passenger numbers in 2025. Cape Town International Airport welcomed 11,113,490 passengers, while George Airport served an impressive 911,354 passengers, both marking record highs for these key airports.
Looking ahead
Looking to the future, ACSA remains steadfast in its commitment to recover fully to pre-pandemic levels while diversifying its revenue streams to navigate risks within the aviation sector.
“Passenger traffic in South Africa is expected to return to 2019 levels,” the company stated adding that the financial health and stability of the aviation industry have shown significant improvement, as evidenced by a recovery in profitability.
As the 2026/27 financial year approaches, ACSA is optimistic about continued growth in both passenger and cargo traffic.
The company has laid out plans to expand international routes, attract new airlines, and invest further in infrastructure, digital innovations, and operational enhancements.
“This aligns with ACSA’s ongoing pursuit of operational excellence, ensuring that every journey through our network meets the high standards passengers expect,” concluded ACSA.
Saturday Star