Cape Town International Airport has soared to the top once more, earning the coveted title of Best Airport in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards. The recognition, released on Tuesday, reaffirms the airport’s position as the continent’s premier gateway, setting a standard for excellence in air travel.
This year, Cape Town International didn’t just clinch the top spot on the continent — it also took home honors for Best Airport Staff Service in Africa and Cleanest Airport in Africa. The accolades were drawn from a comprehensive global survey of air travelers, conducted by Skytrax between August 2024 and February 2025. With participants from over 100 nationalities and over 575 airports evaluated, the awards reflect the voices of everyday travelers.
The survey measured several key areas that affect passenger experience, including check-in processes, terminal cleanliness, ease of navigation, shopping and dining options, and overall customer service. Cape Town’s strong showing across all these categories highlighted its growing reputation not just for efficiency, but also for hospitality and world-class amenities.
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This isn’t the first time the airport has captured the spotlight. In 2024, aviation analytics firm AirHelp also ranked Cape Town International as the top-performing airport in Africa. Their evaluation, which analyzed 239 airports in 69 countries, gave the airport an impressive score of 8.50 out of 10. It scored particularly high in on-time performance (8.6) and customer satisfaction (8.4), further proving that this is no fluke — Cape Town International is operating at a global standard.
South Africa’s aviation scene as a whole continues to thrive. Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport also made waves by securing the 6th spot globally in the AirHelp ranking, with an overall score of 8.29 and a customer satisfaction rating of 8.3. These accomplishments reinforce the country’s growing influence in global aviation.
On the international stage, Singapore Changi Airport took the crown as Best Airport in the World, also sweeping titles for Best Airport Dining, Best Washrooms, and Best Airport in Asia.
For travelers flying into or out of Africa, Cape Town International has once again shown that efficiency, cleanliness, and warm hospitality aren’t optional — they’re the new standard. And with accolades piling up, the airport’s wings are only getting stronger.
