Cape Town Airport Begins Massive Overhaul Worth Billions of Rand
Southern Africa's most popular leisure gateway is about to undergo its biggest transformation in decades. Cape Town International Airport is preparing for an extensive renovation programme that will reshape the facility from the ground up, with construction activities set to commence in March 2026 and an anticipated completion target of 2029. For travel professionals selling the Western Cape as a destination, understanding the scope and impact of this project is essential for managing client expectations over the next three years.
The upgrade forms part of a wider capital investment strategy by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the entity responsible for managing the country's major airports. The total investment earmarked for Cape Town alone stands at a remarkable R21.7 billion, equivalent to approximately 955 million British pounds. This is not a cosmetic facelift. It is a comprehensive infrastructure overhaul designed to future-proof the airport against surging passenger demand and position Cape Town as a world-class aviation hub capable of handling the next generation of air traffic.
Among the most significant elements of the programme is the construction of a brand-new domestic arrivals terminal, valued at approximately R2.4 billion. This addition will fundamentally change how domestic passengers experience the airport. Currently, the terminal infrastructure reflects designs from an earlier era of South African aviation, when passenger volumes were a fraction of what they are today. A purpose-built facility will streamline arrivals, reduce congestion, and create a more pleasant first impression for visitors landing in the Mother City.
International travellers will also benefit directly. The plans include an expansion of the international terminal at a projected cost of R853 million. As airlines continue to add long-haul routes to Cape Town—most recently with the arrival of carriers like Norse Atlantic Airways—the existing international infrastructure has come under increasing pressure. More gates, wider concourses, and improved passenger flow will be critical to accommodating the growth that the city's tourism sector is banking on.
Security is another pillar of the upgrade. Enhanced security infrastructure features prominently in the plans, along with modernised facilities throughout the terminal buildings. ACSA's Regional General Manager, Mark Memory, confirmed at a recent media briefing that most of the individual projects carry a three-year turnaround period, with the ambition of having construction crews actively on site by 2026.
He noted that the airport has already begun preliminary upgrades to certain areas, including ablution facilities, as a precursor to the larger works.
The elephant in the room, of course, is disruption. Any construction project of this magnitude at a fully operational airport will inevitably affect passenger movement. ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu has been transparent about this reality, stating publicly that passenger movement within the airport will be "somewhat disrupted" during the construction phases. However, she reassured stakeholders that the works will be carefully phased and scheduled to minimize inconvenience, drawing on lessons learned from similar upgrade projects at other ACSA-managed airports.
Political stakeholders in the Western Cape have also weighed in. The Democratic Alliance, the governing party in the province, has formally requested guarantees from ACSA that the upgrades will not severely impact the traveller experience. This political attention underscores just how vital the airport is to the regional economy. Cape Town's tourism industry, which supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, depends heavily on smooth airport operations, particularly during the peak summer season from November through March.
For African travel agents packaging Western Cape itineraries, the practical implications are straightforward. Over the next three years, clients should be advised to allow extra time at the airport, particularly during the initial construction phases when temporary walkways and diversions may be in place. Check-in and boarding processes could take longer than usual, and certain retail and lounge facilities may be temporarily relocated or reduced in size. Communicating these realities upfront will help manage expectations and prevent negative feedback.
On the positive side, this investment sends a powerful message about confidence in Cape Town as a global destination. City officials have described the project as a development that could reshape regional travel, tourism, and trade for years to come. When completed, the upgraded airport will be better equipped to handle growing demand from African source markets, European leisure traffic, and emerging routes from Asia and the Americas. It will also support the anticipated deployment of new aircraft types, such as the Emirates A350 service confirmed for Cape Town later this year.
The broader lesson for the African travel trade is one of patience and strategic planning. Infrastructure investment of this scale is rare on the continent, and while the short-term inconvenience is real, the long-term payoff will be substantial. A modernised Cape Town International Airport will enhance the competitiveness of the entire Southern African tourism ecosystem, making it easier to sell multi-destination packages that include the Western Cape alongside safari experiences in Botswana, Zambia, or Mozambique. Forward-thinking agents should begin preparing their clients now, framing the construction period not as a deterrent, but as the birth of something far better.
