DailySun
Johannesburg – As 2024 draws to a close, the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has celebrated a remarkable year, reporting an impressive after-tax profit of R472 million, despite facing unexpectedly negative press from local media.
Under the guidance of CEO Mpumi Mpofu, ACSA, established on 23 July 1993, has successfully recovered from the adverse effects of the Covid pandemic and has enhanced its standing on the global stage.
Last year, ACSA saw a significant uptick in international passenger traffic, with over a million travelers utilizing 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 processed 3.554 million passengers at its airports, exceeding its own forecast of 3.425 million.
Within this figure, regional passenger counts reached 73,492, while domestic travelers totaled 2.4 million.
International passenger numbers climbed to 1.018 million, marking the first time since the pandemic struck that ACSA has crossed the million threshold.
ACSA manages nine airports, competing for excellence among thousands of airports worldwide.
In recent years, ACSA’s major airports—OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and King Shaka International Airport (KSIA)—have repeatedly been acknowledged as top airports in Africa and globally, receiving several awards from respected organizations such as Skytrax and AirHelp.
CTIA has earned the noteworthy title of the second-best airport worldwide according to AirHelp, boasting an impressive on-time performance score of 8.6 and a customer opinion rating of 8.4.
This airport has been lauded for its state-of-the-art infrastructure, outstanding amenities, and operational efficiency, setting a high standard for others across the continent.
Simultaneously, ORTIA achieved the sixth-best airport ranking globally according to AirHelp, with an overall score of 8.29, praised for its efficient operations and strong customer satisfaction score of 8.3.
Earlier this year, both ORTIA and CTIA received prestigious accolades at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards, highlighting the exceptional service and world-class facilities these airports provide.
For nine consecutive years, CTIA has been recognized as the Skytrax Best Airport in Africa, while also winning the Skytrax Best Airport Staff in Africa award for the fourth year in a row.
KSIA was recognized as the Best Regional Airport in Africa, while ORTIA secured third place for the Best Airport in Africa title and received the Best Airport Hotel award.
The long list of accolades achieved by ACSA’s airports in recent years showcases the dedication of Mpofu and her team to excellence, setting benchmarks within the aviation sector through advanced technology, exceptional customer service, and sustainable practices throughout ACSA’s network.
The rising ratings for South African airports have attracted international attention, with media outlets noting 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 has just gotten better with a significant £955m refurbishment.”
“An airport set to undergo a massive £955m renovation has been recognized as the best airport in Africa,” O’Toole elaborated.
She continued, “Cape Town International Airport has proudly been honored as Africa’s best airport and the second-best globally due to its modern infrastructure and operational efficiency.”
In another report earlier this month on 9 December, africa.businessinsider.com highlighted: “AirHelp analyzed 239 airports across 69 countries, using three critical metrics: on-time performance, customer opinions, and dining and shopping experiences.
“Cape Town International Airport leads in Africa with an impressive AirHelp score of 8.50, ranking it as the second-best airport in the world.”
The airport excels with an on-time performance score of 8.6 and a notable customer opinion rating of 8.4.
Its cutting-edge infrastructure, excellent facilities, and efficiency set a benchmark for other airports on the continent.
ACSA reaffirmed its position with Johannesburg International Airport, ranked 6th globally.
With an overall score of 8.29, the airport is celebrated for its effective operations and high customer satisfaction rating of 8.3.
