South Africa’s airports have once again proven their world-class status as Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) emerged victorious at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Held on April 9 at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Madrid, Spain, the awards celebrated excellence in global air travel, with both South African airports earning prestigious accolades.
Cape Town International Airport was crowned the Best Airport in Africa for 2025, reaffirming its position as the continent’s leading aviation hub. The airport also walked away with two additional awards: Best Airport Staff Service in Africa and Cleanest Airport in Africa. These honours recognise CTIA’s outstanding operational efficiency, exceptional customer service, and the pristine condition of its facilities, all of which contribute to an exceptional travel experience for millions of passengers each year.
Durban’s King Shaka International Airport also flew the South African flag high by winning the title of Best Regional Airport in Africa. The accolade reflects KSIA’s growing prominence as a regional gateway and highlights the airport’s commitment to delivering a seamless, comfortable, and traveller-friendly environment.
The recognition for both airports stems from the comprehensive Skytrax survey, which is based on feedback from passengers of over 100 nationalities and evaluates more than 575 airports globally. Conducted between August 2024 and February 2025, the survey measured a wide range of travel touchpoints, including check-in processes, security procedures, shopping options, cleanliness, and overall passenger satisfaction.
Cape Town International’s win comes shortly after the airport was named Africa’s top performer in a separate 2024 ranking by aviation analytics firm AirHelp. The airport received an overall score of 8.50, with strong marks in on-time performance and customer satisfaction, further validating its consistent commitment to excellence.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which manages CTIA and KSIA, also celebrated another win as the InterContinental Hotel at O.R. Tambo International Airport was named Best Airport Hotel in Africa. This recognition reflects ACSA’s broader vision of offering end-to-end quality in the travel experience, from the terminal to the hotel room.
ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu expressed pride in the achievements, noting that these awards are a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of the airport teams. She emphasised that such recognition not only validates the organisation’s ongoing efforts to deliver world-class service but also inspires further innovation and improvement across its network.
The 2025 Skytrax Awards mark another high point for South Africa’s aviation industry, highlighting its growing influence in global air travel and reinforcing the country’s reputation for delivering superior airport experiences across the board.
