What Happened
A fire broke out on Tuesday at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) in the Northern Service Yard along the international inner lane. Emergency crews quickly extinguished the blaze, which was reported to involve heavy cabling within an exterior structural column. The incident prompted a precautionary evacuation of the international terminal, affecting both passengers and staff. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Why It Matters
The fire caused significant disruptions to airport operations, leading to the suspension of international departures and the diversion of incoming international flights. Although power was restored by 3 PM, the airport’s IT and network services remained compromised, resulting in delays and long queues for over 4,000 passengers. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure at one of South Africa’s busiest airports, which processed 11 million passengers last year.
What’s Next
While international departures have resumed, passengers are advised to check their flight details due to ongoing delays and schedule changes. Airport officials are working to restore full operational capacity and ensure passenger safety. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has urged travelers to follow security instructions and remain patient as the situation stabilizes.
