Cape Town Airport Hit by Fire — International Flights Halted, Domestic Routes Still Running
A fire broke out on the landside of Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) on Monday, 24 February 2026, sending shockwaves through one of South Africa's busiest aviation hubs. The blaze was brought under control swiftly, and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that no injuries were reported among passengers, airport staff, or visitors.
While the flames were put out without harm to anyone, the aftermath has caused significant headaches for the airport's technology backbone. The fire damaged critical network and IT infrastructure, knocking out airport Wi-Fi and several essential operating systems. This forced ACSA to take immediate precautionary steps that directly affected flight operations, particularly on the international side.
As a direct result, all international departures from Cape Town were temporarily suspended, and inbound international flights were rerouted to alternative airports. International passengers who had already landed at CTIA before the suspension were processed safely on the ground. For anyone with clients booked on international routes through Cape Town, this is a crucial detail to communicate without delay.
On a more positive note, domestic flight operations continued, although some delays were reported by various airlines. ACSA urged all domestic passengers to verify their flight status in real time before making their way to the airport. The recommended channels for checking updates are directly through the relevant airline or via the ACSA Mobile App, which provides live departure and arrival information.
Images circulating on social media painted a dramatic picture of the scene, showing travellers pulling their luggage through the terminal as smoke filled parts of the building and evacuation sirens echoed through the halls. Despite the alarming visuals, authorities maintained order throughout the emergency response, ensuring a controlled and safe evacuation where needed.
ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe addressed the media, reaffirming that passenger safety remained the organisation's highest priority. He called on travellers to stay informed through official channels and to exercise patience as teams worked around the clock to restore full functionality.
For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, this incident serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly airport operations can be disrupted by unforeseen events. Cape Town International is the second-busiest airport in South Africa, handling millions of passengers annually and serving as a gateway for both leisure and business travellers heading to the Western Cape. Any extended disruption here has a ripple effect across airline schedules, hotel bookings, car rentals, and tour itineraries.
This event also raises important questions about infrastructure resilience at major African airports. As the continent's tourism sector grows and passenger volumes increase year on year, investing in robust backup systems for IT, power, and communications becomes not just advisable but essential. Airports that can recover quickly from incidents like these will earn the confidence of international carriers and global travellers alike.
Travel consultants should take proactive steps in the coming days. Reaching out to clients with upcoming Cape Town bookings, offering flexible rebooking options, and staying connected to ACSA's official updates will go a long way in maintaining trust and professionalism. For those handling group travel or conference delegates, having a contingency plan that includes alternative routing through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg could prove invaluable.
ACSA has promised to release further updates as restoration efforts progress. The speed at which full international operations resume will depend largely on how quickly the damaged IT systems can be repaired or replaced. Until then, the message is clear: stay informed, communicate early with your clients, and plan for flexibility.
