Fire incident disrupts operations at Cape Town International Airport

International

Network and IT services temporarily affected

A fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at Cape Town International Airport, briefly disrupting operations at one of South Africa’s busiest aviation gateways. The blaze was later extinguished, with authorities confirming that all passengers, staff and visitors were unharmed.

Precautionary measures impact flight operations

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) stated that, as a precautionary measure, international departures were temporarily suspended while certain incoming flights were diverted. The incident occurred on the landside of the airport.

“Cape Town International Airport confirms that a fire occurred on the landside of the airport. The fire has been successfully extinguished, and all passengers, staff and visitors are safe,” ACSA said in an official statement.

IT and network systems affected

According to ACSA, the fire impacted network and IT services, including airport wi-fi and other operational systems. The extent of the disruption and the timeline for full system restoration were not immediately disclosed.

Local media reports indicated that the fire may have originated in an office building and a VIP lounge area. Some passengers were reportedly evacuated as a safety precaution. ACSA did not confirm the cause of the fire but stated that further details would be released as information becomes available.

Passenger guidance and safety procedures

ACSA urged travelers to comply with airport security protocols during the disruption.

“We understand that this incident may have caused concern, and we urge all passengers and visitors to follow security instructions and proceed to designated places of safety as directed by airport personnel,” the statement noted.

Cape Town remains a key tourism and travel hub

Cape Town International Airport serves as a major entry point for both domestic and international travelers. Cape Town itself remains one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, welcoming thousands of visitors daily. Authorities have not indicated any long-term operational impact resulting from the incident.