Last week, Emirates’ first flight in several months arrived at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) from Dubai.

While current international passenger volumes at CTIA are about 9 000 a day, down from 15 000 prior to the COVID-19 third wave, the airport has seen a steady increase in passenger volumes since South Africa returned to an adjusted Alert Level 3 lockdown.

“These flights are yet another indication that Cape Town is opening up to existing source markets. And with the Air Access team – who receive funding from the City – working hard to bring more airlines here, I’m confident that we will soon be welcoming flights from new regions too,” says Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management in Cape Town, Alderman James Vos.