Johannesburg – As 2024 draws to a close, the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has celebrated a prosperous year, achieving a remarkable after-tax profit of R472 million, even in light of surprisingly negative coverage from local media.

Guided by CEO Mpumi Mpofu, ACSA, which was established on 23 July 1993, has successfully bounced back from the negative effects of the Covid pandemic while strengthening its position on the global stage.

In the past year, ACSA witnessed a notable increase in international passenger traffic, with more than a million travelers using its airport network during the peak holiday season in December 2023.

This achievement marks the first time since December 2019 and the onset of the pandemic that ACSA has surpassed the million mark for international passenger traffic in a single month.

In total, ACSA recorded 3.554 million passengers across its airports, exceeding its own forecast of 3.425 million.

From this overall figure, regional passengers numbered 73,492, while domestic travelers reached 2.4 million.

International passenger counts rose to 1.018 million, marking a return above the million threshold for the first time since the pandemic’s onset.

ACSA operates nine airports, striving for excellence alongside thousands of other global airports.

In recent years, ACSA’s major airports—OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and King Shaka International Airport (KSIA)—have consistently ranked among the best airports in Africa and worldwide, receiving numerous awards from renowned organizations such as Skytrax and AirHelp.

CTIA was recognized as the second-best airport globally by AirHelp, boasting an impressive on-time performance score of 8.6 and a customer opinion rating of 8.4.

This airport has been praised for its advanced infrastructure, outstanding amenities, and operational efficiency, establishing a benchmark for others across the continent.

Meanwhile, ORTIA secured the sixth-best airport status globally according to AirHelp, achieving an overall score of 8.29. The airport earned accolades for its efficient operations and high customer satisfaction score of 8.3.

Earlier this year, both ORTIA and CTIA were honored at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards, underscoring the exceptional service and world-class facilities offered by these airports.

For the ninth consecutive year, CTIA was named the Skytrax Best Airport in Africa, along with the Skytrax Best Airport Staff in Africa for the fourth consecutive year.

KSIA was awarded the title of Best Regional Airport in Africa, while ORTIA claimed the third position for the Best Airport in Africa award and also received the accolade for Best Airport Hotel.

The extensive collection of awards garnered by ACSA’s airports in recent years showcases the commitment of Mpofu and her team to excellence, setting a high standard in the aviation sector through innovative technology, exceptional customer service, and sustainable practices throughout ACSA’s network.

The rising ratings for South African airports have attracted international attention, with media highlighting the progress made.

In a report published in the Express in the UK on Saturday, 14 December 2024, Lauren O’Toole commented on CTIA: “Africa’s best airport that’s just got even better with a substantial £955m renovation.”

“An airport about to undergo a massive £955m overhaul has been designated the best airport in Africa,” O’Toole elaborated.

She continued, “Cape Town International Airport has proudly been acknowledged as Africa’s best airport and the second-best worldwide, thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure and operational efficiencies.”

In a separate report earlier this month on 9 December, africa.businessinsider.com stated: “AirHelp evaluated 239 airports across 69 nations, utilizing three key metrics: punctuality, customer opinions, and dining and shopping experiences.

“Cape Town International Airport stands out in Africa with an impressive AirHelp score of 8.50, ranking as the second-best airport globally.”

The airport excels in on-time performance with a score of 8.6 and a notable customer opinion rating of 8.4.

Its state-of-the-art infrastructure, outstanding facilities, and efficiency have set a benchmark for other airports across the continent.

ACSA also solidified its reputation with Johannesburg International Airport, ranked sixth globally.

With an overall score of 8.29, the airport is praised for its smooth operations and high customer satisfaction rating of 8.3.