Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) has been named the best airport in Africa for the 11th consecutive year, according to the Skytrax World Airport Awards. The airport, which serves as the primary international gateway to Cape Town, handles approximately 10 million passengers annually and covers an area of around 900 hectares.
Award-Winning Performance
The Skytrax awards are based on the 2025/2026 World Airport Survey, which collects votes from air travellers worldwide. CTIA was also recognised as the cleanest airport on the continent and for having the best airport staff, as reported by TimeOut.
Three South African airports made the top five in Africa: O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg ranked second, King Shaka International Airport in Durban placed fourth, and Moroccan airports Marrakech Menara and Mohammed V International took third and fifth places respectively.
Major Infrastructure Upgrades
Opened in 1954, CTIA is undertaking several major improvements to cement its reputation. A new realigned runway is being added to improve air traffic efficiency and unlock critical passenger terminal capacity development space, according to Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the state-owned entity that operates the airport. The project is budgeted at R6.39 billion (approximately £293 million), with the main contractor expected to be appointed in December.
Other planned works include an expansion of the Domestic Terminal Building starting in April 2027 and phased improvements to the International Terminal Building. These enhancements will add more apron stands, expanded commercial and lounge offerings, and improvements to immigration processing and bussing gates.
Economic Significance
Thabo Phateng, the airport's acting regional general manager, said: 'These planned developments represent a significant step in strengthening Cape Town International Airport's role as a critical economic gateway for the Western Cape and South Africa. By expanding capacity and enhancing operational resilience, we are positioning the airport to support sustained passenger growth, tourism expansion, trade facilitation and long-term regional economic development.'
CTIA is the second busiest airport in South Africa after O.R. Tambo International and the fourth busiest in Africa. For context, London Heathrow Airport, Britain's largest, covers 1,227 hectares. The airport is located about 12 miles from Cape Town's central business district and is a vital pillar of the nation's multi-billion-pound tourism industry.
