A significant incident occurred at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) on Monday, 24 February 2026, when a fire broke out on the landside of the facility.

This event sent immediate repercussions through one of South Africa's most vital aviation hubs.

Fortunately, the blaze was swiftly brought under control, and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that there were no reported injuries among passengers, airport staff, or visitors, ensuring the safety of all individuals present.

Despite the absence of physical harm, the fire left a considerable impact on the airport's operational capabilities.

Critical network and information technology (IT) infrastructure sustained damage, resulting in the outage of the airport's Wi-Fi services and several essential operating systems.

This necessitated immediate precautionary measures by ACSA, directly influencing flight operations, particularly for international routes.

As a direct consequence of the IT infrastructure damage, all international departures from Cape Town International Airport were temporarily suspended.

Furthermore, inbound international flights destined for CTIA were rerouted to alternative airports. International passengers who had already arrived at CTIA prior to the suspension were processed safely on the ground.

This detail was deemed crucial for travel professionals to communicate promptly to clients with international bookings through Cape Town.

In contrast to the international disruptions, domestic flight operations at CTIA continued, although various airlines reported some delays. ACSA issued an advisory urging all domestic passengers to confirm their flight status in real-time before proceeding to the airport.

The recommended channels for obtaining these updates included direct communication with the respective airlines or utilizing the ACSA Mobile App, which provides live departure and arrival information.

Visuals shared across social media platforms depicted a dramatic scene, showing travelers navigating the terminal with their luggage amidst smoke-filled sections of the building, accompanied by the distinct sound of evacuation sirens.

Despite these alarming images, authorities effectively maintained order throughout the emergency response, ensuring a controlled and safe evacuation process where necessary.

ACSA spokesperson, Ofentse Dijoe, addressed the media, reiterating that passenger safety remained the paramount priority for the organization.

Dijoe called upon travelers to remain informed through official channels and to exercise patience as dedicated teams worked tirelessly to restore full airport functionality.

For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, this incident serves as a potent reminder of the speed at which unforeseen events can disrupt complex airport operations.

Cape Town International Airport holds the distinction of being South Africa's second-busiest airport, annually serving millions of passengers and acting as a critical gateway for both leisure and business travelers heading to the Western Cape region.

Any prolonged disruption at such a key facility inevitably creates a ripple effect, impacting airline schedules, hotel reservations, car rentals, and pre-planned tour itineraries.

The fire at CTIA also brings to the forefront important questions regarding infrastructure resilience at major African airports.

As the continent's tourism sector continues its expansion and passenger volumes demonstrate year-on-year increases, the investment in robust backup systems for IT, power, and communications infrastructure becomes not merely advisable but absolutely essential.

Airports that can demonstrate swift recovery from incidents like this will undoubtedly foster greater confidence among international carriers and global travelers.

In the aftermath, travel consultants are advised to adopt proactive strategies in the coming days. This includes promptly contacting clients with upcoming Cape Town bookings, offering flexible rebooking alternatives, and staying continuously updated on official announcements from ACSA.

For those managing group travel or conference delegates, establishing a contingency plan that incorporates alternative routing options, such as through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, could prove invaluable in mitigating disruptions.

ACSA has committed to providing further updates as the restoration efforts progress. The timeline for the resumption of full international operations will largely depend on the efficiency and speed with which the damaged IT systems can be repaired or replaced.

Until complete functionality is restored, the overarching message remains clear: stay thoroughly informed, communicate transparently and early with your clients, and maintain a flexible approach to travel planning.