Since 2021, 16 airlines have initiated or announced 18 new routes to Cape Town, according to Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro and Official Spokesperson of Cape Town Air Access (CTAA).
CTAA – powered by Wesgro – held its 7th annual review last week, showcasing 20 months of continuous year-on-year growth in international passenger traffic to Cape Town International Airport (CTIA).
Together with airlines, government partners and business stakeholders, the event reflected on the milestones achieved by this partnership, which gathers the public and private sectors.
Stander said: “With CTAA, action speaks louder than words. The number of routes established into Cape Town in the past three years have now surpassed the number achieved in the first five years of the project.
“We have witnessed 20 months of continuous year-on-year growth. We have also recorded the highest-ever international passenger total in 2023 with over 2.8 two-way passengers making their way through our international airport.”
New destinations
The upcoming summer season will see one new destination added to CTIA’s network with passengers now able to fly directly to Kasane on Air Botswana.
The Mother City will also welcome its newest airline, Norse Atlantic Airways, which will operate a seasonal service from London Gatwick. Three additional African route services will also be launched into Cape Town, covering existing destinations.
Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said: “Expansion of existing routes is a cause for celebration because it means the business case for flying to Cape Town remains strong.
“This coming season will see 11 route expansions contributing to 226 weekly international flights to CTIA at the peak of the summer season. This is the highest total ever! CTAA demonstrates the success that is possible when government and the private sector work together to achieve shared objectives.”
Continental growth
A crucial strategy of the CTAA partnership has been increasing connectivity to destinations across the African continent.
Between 2016 and 2024, passengers to and from Africa have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 10% per year, reaching 556 000 two-way passengers.
For the first half of 2024, when compared to 2023, African passenger traffic increased by 13% to 425 000 two-way passengers. Enabling this travel is key to unlocking the economic potential of the African continent and the many opportunities for tourism, trade and investment that exist.
Reflecting on the importance of CTAA to Cape Town’s economy, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth James Vos added: “With increased connectivity, comes increased trade. This is the power of Air Access, which catalyses key drivers of growth.”
Mark Maclean, Regional General Manager for CTIA, said: "Over the past three years, we have witnessed consistent growth – a testament to our commitment to operational consistency, safety and delivering an exceptional passenger experience.
“As we move into our peak season, we remain focused on ensuring readiness. However, this growth inspires us as we plan to expand our infrastructure to meet increasing demand. It signals exciting times ahead and we are confident that, with our collective efforts, we will continue to set new benchmarks for success."
In terms of two-way passengers to CTIA, the top 10 destinations were the UK, the USA, Germany, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius and India.
It is worth highlighting that India recorded a notable 115% recovery rate between 2019 and 2023, showcasing the enormous potential of this unserved market.
“That is why our focus is firmly on growing air connectivity to new destinations and expanding existing routes, especially in Asia and Africa. Because we know that, when we grow passenger numbers, we grow the economy and we create jobs," said Stander.
