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South African Airports Dominate SKYTRAX Awards, Setting New Benchmarks for African Aviation South African Airports Dominate SKYTRAX Awards, Setting New Benchmarks for African Aviation

South African airports have once again proven their mettle on the global stage, sweeping key categories in the prestigious 2025 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. This remarkable achievement underscores the country’s commitment to world-class aviation standards and offers exciting prospects for travel professionals across the continent.

Leading the charge, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) secured the coveted title of Best Airport in Africa for an unprecedented tenth consecutive year. This remarkable streak highlights CPT’s sustained dedication to exceptional service, cleanliness, and efficiency, setting a benchmark for other airports to emulate. Adding to its accolades, CPT also clinched the awards for Best Airport Staff and Cleanest Airport in Africa, solidifying its position as a leader in passenger experience.

Other South African airports also shone brightly. King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban earned the title of Best Regional Airport in Africa, further demonstrating the country’s strength across various airport categories. DUR also secured an impressive second place for Best Airport Staff, highlighting its commitment to providing top-tier customer service. Meanwhile, OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg claimed the second spot overall for Best Airport in Africa, showcasing its continued excellence in the face of stiff competition. JNB’s Intercontinental Hotel also received recognition, winning the award for Best Airport Hotel in Africa.

The SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™, based on the world’s largest annual airport customer satisfaction survey, are considered the gold standard in the aviation industry. The 2025 survey, conducted independently and free from airport influence, gathered feedback from over 100 nationalities between August 2024 and February 2025, covering more than 575 airports worldwide. This rigorous methodology ensures the awards reflect genuine passenger experiences and opinions, making them a true testament to airport quality.

For African travel professionals, South Africa’s success offers valuable insights and opportunities. The country’s focus on passenger-centric services, efficient operations, and modern facilities provides a model for other airports seeking to enhance their offerings. By adopting similar strategies, airports across Africa can improve their competitiveness, attract more travelers, and contribute to the continent’s growing tourism sector.

The infographic below visually represents South Africa’s dominance in the 2025 SKYTRAX awards, showcasing the hierarchy of its airports in different categories and highlighting Cape Town’s decade-long reign as the Best Airport in Africa.

The chart below illustrates the distribution of awards across South African airports, further emphasizing the country’s strong performance in the 2025 SKYTRAX awards.

These achievements not only boost South Africa’s reputation as a premier travel destination but also inspire other African nations to invest in their aviation infrastructure. As the continent’s aviation sector continues to evolve, South Africa’s success serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.