The Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) recorded a 10% growth, with more than 94,000 travellers arriving in the city over the 2026 Easter break. 

This is according to the Border Management Authority, as its commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, shared the statistics recorded over the long weekend during a briefing on Sunday.  

More than 1.2 million travellers crossed the border into South Africa during that time, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year.  

“About 1 278 344 were recorded across our 71 ports of entry… This upward trend highlights the growing demand for cross-border travel during this period,” said Masiapato.  

The O.R. Tambo International Airport recorded the highest volume of travellers, with roughly 234 389, which Masiapato noted was a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. The Lembobo port of entry (bordering Mozambique) came in second, with about 195 293 travellers. The Beitbridge port of entry (linking to Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent) recorded the third busiest number of arriving travellers, with 148,451 arrivals.  

“Notably, Ficksburg Border Post recorded a sharp 57% increase in traveller volumes, while Maseru Bridge Border Post saw a 31% rise,” read the South African Government News Agency article. 

Masiapato said there has been a steady year-on-year increase in the number of people processed at ports of entry during the mentioned period, having breached a million last year, and now 21% more in 2026.  

Meanwhile, of the tens of thousands that arrived, Masiapato noted that over the 10-day period for the operation, 4,763 travellers were apprehended while trying to enter or exit the country.  

“About 3,170 were undocumented persons, 998 were undesirables, 595 were found to be inadmissible into the country for various reasons,” said Masiapato.  

More than 2 500 fines were issued during the Easter period.

Masiapato further explained that this operation follows on the 2025/2026 Festive Season Operations, which is aimed at reinforcing “long-term operational efficiency”.  

“Importantly, the insights derived from this report will inform the future planning for such peak-periods, enhance stakeholder coordination and cooperation, whilst strengthening the Authority’s overall strategies for the successful implementation of effective, high-impact border movement cycles.”