Cape Town International Airport has been recognised as the Best Airport Supporting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions/Events) at the 2026 Africa MICE Awards.
Image used for illustrative purposes/By: anouchka/Getty Images
The award was presented in Mombasa, Kenya, on 2 October, as the airport prepares for a busy 2026/27 peak travel season marked by an increase in international flights and passenger capacity.
According to Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the airport is expected to see around 250 000 additional two-way international seats during the upcoming peak season, representing a 12% increase in international capacity.
More international flights to Cape Town
The increased capacity will see 26 international airlines connect Cape Town with 33 destinations across 38 routes, with around 255 international flights operating each week.
The growth follows a strong 2025 for the airport, which handled approximately 11.1 million two-way passengers, a 7% increase compared with the previous year.
New and returning services are also adding to the city’s international connections.
Airlink launched direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius on 2 October, followed by the launch of its direct Cape Town-Zanzibar service on 3 October.
Several seasonal international services have also returned, including flights operated by Edelweiss, Norse Atlantic, Condor and Air France. Virgin Atlantic is scheduled to resume its Cape Town service from 14 October.
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Award highlights airport’s role in business travel
The MICE award recognises Cape Town International Airport’s role in supporting business tourism and events, alongside its importance as a gateway for leisure travellers.
Acting Regional Manager at CTIA, Malcolm Koopman, said the continued expansion of the airport’s international network strengthens Cape Town’s links with the rest of the world.
He said increased air connectivity supports tourism while also creating opportunities for trade, investment, businesses and employment across the Western Cape.
The airport said its focus during the upcoming peak season will remain on safe operations and maintaining a positive passenger experience as passenger numbers increase.
The combination of additional international capacity, new routes and returning seasonal services is expected to give travellers more options when flying directly to and from Cape Town.
Source: IOL, with information from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
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