South Africa’s international airports have received a welcome boost in 2026, accommodating nearly one million international arrivals every month so far this year.
This is according to Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA’s) monthly International Tourism Report, which highlighted 989,329 tourist arrivals in April – a 19.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille welcomed the monthly increase in international arrivals, lauding it as the country’s highest monthly year-on-year (YoY) increase since January’s standout performance.
“This means that despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has led to global flight disruptions and ticket fare price increases, South Africa has not only defended its markets but has also grown in some regions,” she said.
Most notably, inbound travel from Singapore has increased 70.5%, with 938 arrivals in April 2026, while in the same month, arrivals from Brazil increased by 37.5% to 5,953 total arrivals.
The total number of arrivals from January to April 2026 increased by 482,935 compared to the same period last year, rising to 3,899,358 during the period.
This represents a marked 14.1% increase in international arrivals at South Africa’s major airports.
The monthly tourist arrivals at South Africa’s airports so far this year are as follows:
- January 2026 – 1,133,533 (12,4% increase compared to January 2025)
- February 2026 – 864,534 (13,1% increase compared to February 2025)
- March 2026 – 911,962 (12,5% increase compared to March 2025)
- April 2026 – 989,329 (19,5% increase compared to April 2025)
More international arrivals can be expected later this year, as several airlines plan to launch new routes to and from South Africa.
In July, Brazilian carrier LATAM Airlines will launch three weekly direct flights between São Paulo and Cape Town.
The airline originally planned to launch these flights in September, but has brought the date forward due to the increased demand.
Additionally, on 24 June, Spanish carrier Air Europa will launch its inaugural direct flight between Madrid and Johannesburg.
Two new airports for South Africa
South Africa currently has ten operational international airports, though only three – O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and King Shaka International Airport handle major international flights.
However, this is about to change, with two further international airports on the cards for South Africa, one of which is already in development.
The Cape Winelands International Airport is expected to be operational by 2028, while the Vaal International Airport will only be operational much later.
The former aims to establish a new airport city precinct 13km northeast of Durbanville on Lichtenburg Road, built on the site of the existing Fisantekraal Airfield.
Long-term plans include the construction of a new boutique terminal, as well as upgraded runway infrastructure and airside systems.
The initial development is expected to require between R8 and R10 billion investment in Cape Town, but once completed, will be able to sustain an estimated 35,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs over the first 20 years of operations.
The Vaal airport, on the other hand, is part of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (DTIC’s) plan to develop a new smart city along the Vaal River in Gauteng, including a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
According to the DTIC, the planned SEZ will consist of land parcels in Heidelberg, Kookfontein, Langlaagte, Rietspruit, and Zwartkopjies, supported by a new “aerotropolis”.
In 2023, Citibank pledged R1.4 billion toward the first phase of establishing the new international airport in the Vaal, along with an aerotropolis comprised of four major zones.
Once complete, it is expected to accomodate 7.2 million passengers and 150,000 tons of freight every year.
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