South Africa’s leading airports have earned global recognition in the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards, presented by Airports Council International (ACI) World.
The ASQ Awards are widely regarded as the aviation industry’s most credible benchmark for airport performance because they are based entirely on real-time passenger surveys conducted at airports worldwide. In 2025, nearly 700,000 travellers participated - making this the largest ASQ awards cycle to date.
For travellers flying to, from or within South Africa, the results confirm what many already experience: the country’s airports continue to deliver high service standards across multiple categories.
Overall recognition - Best Airports in Africa at departures
South African airports performed strongly in their respective passenger-size categories, earning recognition for overall customer satisfaction at departure.
Airports handling fewer than 2 million passengers per year
- Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth
- Upington Airport (UTN) in Upington
Airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers per year (Africa region)
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town
Cape Town International Airport’s win in the competitive 5–15 million passengers category positions it among Africa’s top-performing mid-sized hubs for overall departure satisfaction.
Category Awards: Where South Africa stood out
Beyond overall satisfaction, South African airports also claimed awards in specialised customer experience categories:
Best Airports in Africa: Most Dedicated Staff
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth
Passengers highlighted the professionalism, friendliness and proactive assistance provided by frontline airport staff.
Best Airports in Africa: Easiest Airport Journey
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth
Efficient passenger flow, clear wayfinding, streamlined security processes and intuitive terminal layouts contributed to a seamless travel experience.
Best Airports in Africa: Most Enjoyable Airport Experience
From retail offerings and dining to terminal ambience and comfort, these airports delivered a positive and engaging passenger environment.
Best Airports in Africa: Cleanest Airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town
Cleanliness remains one of the strongest predictors of passenger satisfaction - and Cape Town again set the benchmark in its category.
Why the ASQ awards matter
The ASQ programme is the only global airport benchmarking system that measures customer satisfaction through live, departure-gate surveys. Unlike awards based on nominations or expert panels, ASQ scores are derived directly from passengers’ immediate travel experiences.
For airlines, route planners and tourism stakeholders, strong ASQ performance signals:
- Operational efficiency
- Service reliability
- Passenger-friendly infrastructure
- Positive brand perception
- For travellers, it translates into:
- Shorter queues
- Smoother transfers
- Cleaner facilities
- Friendlier interactions
- A more relaxed overall journey
What this means for travel in South Africa
As international travel continues to grow and competition among regional hubs intensifies, South Africa’s airport network has demonstrated that it can deliver world-class passenger experiences across both major gateways and regional airports.
Cape Town International Airport’s multi-category success reinforces its status as one of Africa’s leading mid-sized airports, while smaller facilities such as Bram Fischer International Airport, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, and Upington Airport prove that excellent service is not limited to high-volume hubs.
For anyone planning travel to South Africa - whether for business, leisure or safari connections - these awards provide additional reassurance that the airport experience is designed around passenger satisfaction.
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