October 30, 2026 — Deadly fighting between rival minibus-taxi associations in Cape Town is now affecting air travel. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is telling travelers to allow about four extra hours at Cape Town International Airport after staff shortages caused long security queues and flight delays on Friday morning.
What’s happening
- The dispute: Two taxi groups, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), are fighting over a disputed route linking Delft, Langa and Epping. Eyewitness News and Briefly report that about a dozen people have been killed in the feud.
- Latest violence: Getaway reports that the unrest got worse on Tuesday and Wednesday (October 27–28), with shootings in Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Gugulethu that left three people dead and six wounded. Some transport interchanges were closed for a time, including the Palms taxi rank in Delft. Some taxi services have partly resumed.
- Airport impact (October 30): Some airport staff could not get to work, so security screening was short-staffed. There were long queues at both domestic and international departures, and some departures were delayed by up to an hour. FlySafair said staff shortages had delayed several of its flights. Airline staff walked the lines calling out flight numbers to move passengers with imminent departures forward.
- Safety: Briefly reports that a SANTACO Western Cape spokesperson said the council cannot guarantee commuter safety.
- How long it will last: TBA. No end date or settlement has been announced.
Official airport advice
| Departure type | Arrive at the airport |
|---|---|
| International | 4 hours before departure |
| Domestic | 3 hours before departure |
The airport also advises travelers to watch traffic updates and to check flight status with their airline or the ACSA app.
What it means for airline travelers
- Get there early: Follow the airport’s 4-hour (international) and 3-hour (domestic) guidance. If you’re on standby, you still have to clear security before the gate closes, so long lines can cost you a seat.
- Getting to and from the airport: Don’t rely on minibus taxis for now. Book a hotel shuttle, a private transfer or a ride-hail ahead of time, and expect road delays.
- Areas to avoid: Stay away from Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Langa and Epping unless you have to go there. Some of these townships are close to the airport.
- Delays can spread: If you’re connecting through Cape Town, leave more time between flights or look at routing through Johannesburg until the situation settles.
- Stay informed: Follow local news and the airport’s social media updates. US citizens can enroll in STEP; Canadians can sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad.
Sources
- Eyewitness News (EWN) — CT International Airport passengers face snaking queues amid ongoing taxi violence
- Getaway — Cape Town taxi unrest causes airport delays as passengers face long queues
- Briefly News — Cape Town Taxi Violence Causes Chaos at International Airport
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