Overall passenger numbers grew from 10 693 063 in 2017 to 10 777
524 in 2018, equating to an increase of 84 000 additional
passengers passing through the airport, at a growth rate of 0,8%.
There was a slight decline of 1,4% in domestic passengers for the
year. In the month of December 2018, international passenger
numbers grew by 3,7%, while domestic passenger numbers declined by
0,8%, year-on-year.
These numbers include all traffic through the domestic and
international terminals (arrivals and departures)and may include
repeat travellers throughout the year.
“The City of Cape Town is delighted at the growth in international
passenger numbers for 2018. Busy peak season and tourism growth to
the region is encouraging in terms of sustainability, especially
following what has been a challenging time for the tourism sector.
More visitors mean increased benefits for the city and its
residents,” said the City’s newly appointed Mayoral Committee
Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman
James Vos.
Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Beverley Schäfer
said: “It’s no secret that the tourism industry was hard hit by
the drought last year, but reports from many of our tourist
offices have been largely positive, and we look forward to working
with the industry in 2019 to ensure that this sector continues to
grow as it is an important creator of jobs in the province.”
“The growth in international traffic at Cape Town International
Airport, despite the drought factor, is testament to the good work
of the Air Access partnership. International traffic numbers at
Cape Town International for the whole of 2018 reflect solid
growth, which can be attributed to the launch of several new
routes throughout the year, and our sustained focus on ensuring
growth in our tourism industry” continued Minister Schäfer.
“Cape Town International Airport is experiencing a busy peak
season and it’s been good to have the seasonal carriers back.
Although being busy, the airport value chain is continuously
playing their part to ensure that a memorable experience is
created for visitors. Although the passenger numbers are
increasing and there is pressure on the system, our focus remains
on providing a quality airport facility,” said Deon Cloete,
General Manager, Cape Town International Airport.
“Cape Town is a must-visit destination that is a key feature on
the global travel itinerary. Our goal is to ensure seamless,
inclusive travel through the airport and other modes of arrival
that provide positive visitor experiences,” said Enver Duminy,
CEO, Cape Town Tourism.
“I firmly believe that

tourism remains one of the most lucrative
sectors in terms of its contribution to the local economy and job
creation. With an increase in the number of flights and passenger
arrivals, we are optimistic about what this means for future
business and investment benefits.”
Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris added: “The Cape Town Air Access
initiative, a partnership between the City of Cape Town, the
Western Cape Government, Airports Company South Africa, Wesgro,
Cape Town Tourism, South African Tourism, and the private sector,
has helped land 13 new routes to Cape Town International Airport,
adding over 1.5 million two-way seats to our destination. This has
resulted in a R6 billion boost to our economy since 2015, as more
tourists come to spend money in our city and province, and more
cargo is traded through our airport.”
Minister Schäfer continued: “Events like the Rugby Sevens held in
Cape Town in December and the Queen’s Plate in January helped to
stimulate the city’s tourism and hospitality sector. Looking
ahead, the city will host the SunMet event later this month, which
draws large crowds each year, and has several major conferences
lined up in the coming months, including the YPO leadership
conference which will see around 2500 delegates from around the
world descending on the city in March.”
“Together with our partners, we need to build on our tourism
success as a city to ensure this translates into investments in
programmes and projects that drive demand and make business sense.
My new portfolio has the potential to ensure that we continue to
be the go-to city on the African continent and globally for
business, trade and tourism. We have a diverse economy that is
creating jobs and keeping unemployment low,” added Alderman Vos.
Cape Town, with its iconic tourist attractions is a well-known
destination globally. For the 17th year the city was voted the
Number 1 Favourite City in Africa and Middle East for 2018, in
Travel + Leisure’s 2018 reader’s poll, and scooped the award for
the City with the Best Growth Potential.
Cape Town International Airport, once again, won the award for
Africa’s Leading Airport in 2018.
“These awards, among a host of other accolades, acknowledges our
efforts and signifies a turn for tourism in Cape Town,” concluded
Alderman Vos. “Going forward, the city will drive increased
international, domestic and regional tourism growth, especially
via the air routes.” V.2731

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
Click here for full article

One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
Click here for full article

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
Click here for full article

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
Click here for full article

A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
Click here for full article

On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
Click here for full article

The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
Click here for full article

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
Click here for full article

1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
Click here for full article

Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
Click here for full article