A fire incident at Cape Town International Airport has caused major travel disruptions, leading to the temporary suspension of international departures and the diversion of inbound international flights before firefighters brought the blaze under control.
The fire reportedly broke out near the international terminal in the morning, triggering emergency evacuations and interrupting several key operational systems, including baggage handling and information technology networks. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that no injuries were recorded.
ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe stated that the fire occurred on the landside of the airport and has since been extinguished, assuring the public that all passengers, staff, and visitors are safe. “Passenger safety remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson said.
Authorities disclosed that the incident affected critical infrastructure, including network connectivity, airport Wi-Fi services, and other essential systems. As a precautionary measure, international departures were temporarily halted, while incoming international flights were diverted to alternative airports.
Although international operations were suspended, aircraft that had already landed were allowed to complete processing. Domestic flight services gradually resumed as airport authorities advised passengers to obtain real-time updates from their respective airlines and official airport communication channels.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as smoke spread across sections of the terminal, triggering alarm systems and prompting swift evacuation procedures. Some airport workers speculated that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though officials have not confirmed the exact cause.
The blaze also affected parts of the baggage reclaim zone, forcing authorities to suspend luggage processing and redirect passengers through emergency immigration routes.
In an official alert to airlines, the airport’s Emergency Coordination Centre was activated following what was described as a fire outbreak in one of the office wings of the facility. Despite the incident, the airport continued limited operations under controlled safety measures.
Flight services from Johannesburg to Cape Town experienced brief interruptions but were later restored as emergency teams worked to stabilise operations and resume normal service.
The incident occurred just days after the airport announced plans for phased infrastructure upgrades. In 2025, the airport handled over 11 million passengers, including more than three million international travellers, underscoring its status as one of the continent’s busiest aviation hubs.
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