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Cape Town airport recovers after taxi violence cuts staff numbers

Published

Long security screening queues and 60 flight delays hit Cape Town International Airport on Friday. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said it is doing everything possible to prevent a repeat, and most affected passengers are now processed.

Reports said about half of the airport's staff could not get to work in some areas because they had no transport. The shortage is linked to ongoing deadly taxi violence in Cape Town. Operations are slowly returning to normal after hours of disruption.

Passengers had mixed views. One unnamed passenger said the airport should have been better prepared and that ACSA should have backup staff. An unnamed traveller said airport staff did what they could in difficult circumstances and that the disruption was out of their control.

Key facts

Who
Airports Company South Africa (operator of Cape Town International Airport, said it is doing everything…); Malcolm Koopman (Acting regional GM, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), Cape Town…); Gill Mitchell (passenger queuing for a flight to George); Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (taxi association involved in deadly clashes with CODETA over a disputed route)
What
Severe staff shortages linked to ongoing deadly taxi violence caused lengthy security screening queues and 60 flight delays at Cape Town International Airport, with reportedly half of staff unable to get to work in some areas. Operations are slowly recovering and most affected passengers are being processed.
When
30 October 2026
Where
Cape Town, Delft, Langa
Status
Reported

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