King Shaka International Airport Marks 16 Years with Strong Recovery, Global Recognition and Major Upgrades Ahead
King Shaka International Airport celebrated its 16th anniversary on 1 May 2026, having firmly re-established itself as South Africa's third busiest airport and KwaZulu-Natal's primary international gateway. Passenger volumes reached 5.6 million in the 2025/26 financial year, representing a 92% recovery to pre-pandemic levels after numbers fell sharply from 6.1 million in 2019/20 to just 1.5 million in 2020/21. The rebound has been supported by expanded routes and strengthened partnerships through Durban Direct and the provincial route development committee, with nearly 194,000 international visitors arriving in KwaZulu-Natal in the first quarter of 2025 alone, contributing R1.5 billion to the local economy.
The airport's growth is translating into broader economic impact for the province, with tourism contributing R9.6 billion to GDP and supporting more than 14,000 jobs during the most recent festive season, which saw over 1.2 million visitors - a 19% year-on-year increase. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has committed to a R21.7 billion infrastructure investment programme covering facility upgrades and new developments to support long-term passenger demand. Global recognition has followed, with the airport placing fourth for Best Airport in Africa, second for Best Regional Airport, and tenth in the 5 to 10 million passenger category at the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards, while also receiving the 2025 ASQ Award for Most Enjoyable Airport in Africa.
Source: IOL News
