ACSA's passenger numbers surge post-2025: What it means for the aviation sector

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced a remarkable rebound in passenger travel during the festive season of December 2025, with numbers reaching an impressive 4,013,823, marking a 98% recovery to pre-pandemic figures and demonstrating an 8% increase in year-on-year traffic.

This resurgence is notable and underscores the effective reinstatement of vital international routes, the introduction of new airline entrants, and elevated flight frequencies.

ACSA experienced a record-setting day on December 12, 2025, processing 143,135 passengers and overseeing 1,352 air traffic movements—demonstrating the robust performance of its network. Major airports, including O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), exceeded their traffic projections, emphasising both operational efficiency and resilience amid a busy travel landscape.

ACSA said the infrastructure employed across ACSA's network performed admirably throughout the peak period, bolstered by a comprehensive resource plan adept at handling the heightened demands of increased passenger volumes and aircraft movements. Operational challenges, including adverse weather conditions, were adeptly managed, ensuring minimal disruption for travelers.

Despite a generally smooth operational flow, ACSA's On-Time Performance (OTP) recorded an average of 77.5%, falling short of the target of 88.5%. This slight dip was largely attributed to severe weather disruptions impacting international incoming flights, while domestic flights maintained a ratio of 79% OTP, showcasing their tenacity under challenging conditions.

As ACSA looks to the future, the primary focus is on regaining pre-pandemic traffic levels alongside diversifying revenue streams to minimise risks inherent in the aviation sector. With predictions suggesting that passenger traffic within South Africa is set to return to 2019 figures, the financial health and stability of the aviation industry appear to be on an upward trajectory. This is evidenced by the significant recovery in profitability over recent periods.

Moreover, two airports within the ACSA network posted record-breaking passenger traffic for 2025, with Cape Town International Airport recording an impressive 11,113,490 passengers and George Airport reaching a noteworthy 911,354 passengers.

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