Cape Town - Cape Town International Airport has reported a 13 percent increase in visitor arrivals at the airport, with close to 430 000 passengers arriving last month.
Airport officials predict that if this growth continues throughout the summer months of January through to March the airport would surpass the 9.5 million passenger mark.
It is also highly likely that by next year, the airport would have passed the 10 million passenger mark.
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) spokeswoman Deidré Davids said domestic arrivals for November grew by 14 percent while international arrivals grew by seven percent.
“Passenger numbers for October were also impressive with domestic arrivals growing by nine percent and international arrivals by 17.6 percent when compared to last year,” Davids said.
She added that the increase in numbers could be attributed to a number of factors including seasonal carriers (airlines) that had come on stream and airlines that had increased their flight frequency in response to the peak season demand.
Davids said in terms of security, the airport would continue to be vigilant.
“Airport users and passengers are urged to report suspicious activity and suspicious looking individuals, packages or unattended bags to the police, airport security as well as airport staff immediately,” she said.
Warning passengers against making statements that could be deemed threatening, Davids said over the past year they had experienced passengers making jokes about explosives in their luggage.
“Any individual who makes such statements at the airport will be arrested and charged under the Civil Aviation Act.
“The runway realignment project is critical for a region like ours which is heavily reliant on tourism as it is all about unlocking the airport’s growth potential and making sure that we play our part in ensuring that Cape Town is open for business 365 days a year,” she said.
Cape Argus