Cape Town International Airport Bio, History, Facts and Statistics

History, facts and statistics of Cape Town International Airport.

Cape Town International Airport, IATA Airport Code: CPT and ICAO Airport Code: FACT, is situated 20 km from Cape Town City Centre in the Matroosfontein district of the city.

Cape Town International Airport opened in 1954, replacing Wingfield Aerodrome, originally named DF Malan after the then South African Prime Minister. With the fall of Aparteid in the early 1990's, the airport came under the control of the newly formed Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and along with this, it was officially renamed as Cape Town International Airport.

Rapid growth ensued as post aparteid trade and tourism flourished peaking at 8.4 million passenger per year in 2004/2005 and the Airport underwent a major upgrade in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Seperate international and domestic terminals were rebuilt, separated by a common central terminal to handle all flight check-ins at a cost of R1.6 billion.

Cape Town International Airport is now the 3rd largest airport in the African continent and a 2nd runway to accomodate large aircraft is under proposal to meet increased future demand.

Other services include banks, ATM's, foreign exchange facilities, Post Office, VAT Refund Point, prayer room, baggage wrapping and storage and an ACSA Information Desk.

The shared Central Terminal Building has 120 check-in desks and 20 self-service kiosks and a baggage handling facility that cater for all international and domestic passengers in one place.

There are 2 airport hotels that are located Just off the aiport precinct, the Hotel Verde and the Road Lodge Hotel.

Other services include banks, ATM's, foreign exchange facilities, Post Office, VAT Refund Point, prayer room, baggage wrapping and storage and an ACSA Information Desk.

Cape Town International Airport Passenger Statistics

Cape Town International Airport annual passenger statistics
Year Passengers Up/Down
2004/2005 6,214,903 no stats
2005/2006 6,834,173 +10.0%
2006/2007 7,518,543 +10.0%
2007/2008 8,426,618 +12.1%
2008/2009 7,813,170 -7.3%
2009/2010 7,810,069 -0.1%
2010/2011 8,200,547 +5.0%
2011/2012 8,576,338 +4.6%
2012/2013 8,434,799 -1.7%
2013/2014 8,392,989 -0.5%
2014/2015 8,755,872 +4.3%
2015/2016 9,659,589 +10.3%
2016/2017 10,211,390 +5.7%
2017/2018 10,752,246 +5.3%
2018/2019 10,823,737 +0.6%

Ground Transport, Transfers and Airport Parking.

Cape Town International Airport can be easily reached using the N2 freeway to which it is connected by the Airport Approach Road. There are parking facilities for almost 6,000 vehicles including multi-storey, shaded and open car parks for both long and short stay parking. There are also drop-of and pick-up areas adjecent to the airport terminals. Valet parking is also an option.

The Transport Plaza, connected to the terminal building via 2 subways, is where the metered taxis are found and a MyCiti bus station is incorporated in the Plaza. Shuttle services use the inner lanes adjecent to the terminal building.