FBOs at Cape Town International FACT CPT

Airport security

Cape Town International Airport (FACT) maintains an ASTORISK rating of MODERATE (2) due to elevated security concerns documented by the UK FCDO, which has updated its South Africa travel advice highlighting increased violent crime and targeted attacks to and from Cape Town airport.

The US State Department maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for South Africa citing rampant violent crime in major cities including Cape Town. The FCDO continues to emphasize high crime levels including violent incidents such as muggings, carjacking and robbery, which can occur in tourist areas.

Terminal access at FACT operates through a consolidated Central Terminal Building with passengers passing through a single security screening area before dividing to domestic or international sections.

The airport has recently announced upgrades to security scanners to expedite passenger screening and reduce wait times.

Current security wait times show approximately 7 minutes for screening during normal operations, though peak periods (5-8 AM, 4-7 PM) require 2.5-3 hour early arrival for international flights.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

Hours: H24 — customs and immigration staffed continuously Airport of entry; Border Management Authority and customs services fully operational; landing permit may be required depending on aircraft registration type

Ground corridor

Ground transport risk around FACT is characterised principally by opportunistic and organised violent crime, including armed robbery, carjacking, and express-kidnapping targeting travellers on routes to and from the airport; multiple governments have specifically updated advisories in 2026 to warn of attacks on secondary and alternate roads serving the airport, with the FCDO and DFAT both noting that travellers should use the N2 and M3 corridors and avoid the R300 and R310 routes.

Pre-arranged vehicles with vetted, professional drivers are strongly advised over independent or unverified transport, as the US Embassy has issued a specific alert in 2026 warning of fraudulent drivers operating at the airport arrivals area who have subjected passengers to extortion and physical aggression.

No active armed-conflict zone designation or OFAC sanctions apply to South Africa; the risk profile is driven entirely by violent crime and traffic safety concerns, which are elevated in the Cape Flats townships immediately adjacent to the airport perimeter.

City threat summary

Cape Town International Airport (FACT) maintains an ASTORISK rating of MODERATE (2) due to elevated security concerns documented by the UK FCDO, which has updated its South Africa travel advice highlighting increased violent crime and targeted attacks to and from Cape Town airport.

The US State Department maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for South Africa citing rampant violent crime in major cities including Cape Town. The FCDO continues to emphasize high crime levels including violent incidents such as muggings, carjacking and robbery, which can occur in tourist areas.

Country overview

South Africa operates under a broadly stable but persistently challenging security environment, with all major Western …

Higher-risk locations nearby

• Cape Town FACT ELEVATED
• Johannesburg FAOR ELEVATED