South Africa

Market overview

South Africa has Sub-Saharan Africa's most developed aviation system, and traffic has almost fully recovered. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) handled 20.58 million departing passengers in the year to March 2026, up 8.5% and 98% of the pre-pandemic level. Demand for travel within Africa rose 20.6%. OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka handle 90% of ACSA's passengers. Bottlenecks are appearing: OR Tambo is short of slots, and Cape Town is congested. ACSA aims for 42 million passengers by 2029–30 and is building a new domestic arrivals terminal and upgrading the international terminal at Cape Town. Delivery is the weak point. ACSA completed R2.58 billion of capital projects against R3.6 billion planned. It is back in profit, with R1.2 billion after tax on R8.8 billion of revenue. For suppliers, the openings are in terminal and airside construction, slot and capacity management, airport IT, and MRO for regional and African growth.

Key facts

• 20.58 million departing passengers at ACSA airports in FY2025–26, up 8.5% and 98% of pre-pandemic levels (Sep 2026).
• ACSA revenue of R8.8 billion and profit after tax of R1.2 billion in FY2025–26 (Sep 2026).
• Capital delivery of R2.58 billion against R3.6 billion planned in FY2025–26 (Sep 2026).
• OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka carry 90% of ACSA passengers (Sep 2026).
• Demand for travel within Africa grew 20.6% by year end (Sep 2026).

Key figures

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).

Did you know

South Africa has Sub-Saharan Africa's most developed aerospace supply chain.