Flights Cancelled at Cape Town Airport as Severe Storms Batter South Africa

Cape Town’s worsening storm conditions have moved from a weather story into a wider travel and safety concern, with flights disrupted at Cape Town International Airport as heavy rain, strong winds and flooding continue to hit South Africa.

Airports Company South Africa has warned passengers that flights at Cape Town International Airport and George Airport may be delayed, diverted or cancelled because of the severe weather affecting the Western Cape. Both airports remain open, but that does not mean every scheduled flight will operate as planned.

For passengers, the most important message is simple: check your airline before travelling to the airport. ACSA has also advised travellers to monitor updates through the official ACSA live flight information page, as weather-related changes can happen quickly and may not be reflected on older travel itineraries.

The disruption comes as South Africa faces a broader severe-weather emergency. The National Disaster Management Centre has classified recent storms, flooding and snowfall as a national disaster after large parts of the country were hit by intense rainfall, thunderstorms, damaging winds and infrastructure damage.

The affected areas include the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga. Some regions in South Africa and neighbouring Lesotho have also reported heavy snowfall, adding another layer of pressure to emergency response teams already dealing with flooded roads, overflowing dams and damaged transport routes.

Cape Town International Airport has remained operational, but poor weather can still make flying difficult. Heavy rain reduces visibility, strong winds can make landing unsafe, and low cloud or runway conditions may force pilots to delay an approach or divert to another airport. Even when the airport itself is open, airlines may decide to hold, reroute or cancel flights for safety reasons.

Local reports said some aircraft approaching Cape Town were forced into missed approaches during the storm, while several inbound flights were diverted to other airports, including Gqeberha and Bloemfontein. FlySafair also confirmed weather-related disruption on routes into Cape Town, with flights from Johannesburg, Durban, Lanseria and Bloemfontein among those affected.

George Airport is also being watched closely because of its position along the Garden Route, where flooding and strong winds have affected several communities. The airport remains open, but travellers using George should follow the same advice as Cape Town passengers: confirm the latest flight status before leaving home, especially if travelling from areas where roads may already be flooded.

The South African Weather Service has issued a high-level warning for disruptive rainfall across parts of the Western Cape, including Cape Town and surrounding areas such as Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Breede Valley, Witzenberg and western parts of Theewaterskloof. The warning includes the risk of flooded roads, overflowing rivers, mudslides, rockfalls and damage to both formal and informal settlements. The latest weather alerts can be checked through the South African Weather Service warnings page.

The storm has already had serious consequences beyond airport terminals. Cape Town authorities confirmed that one person died after a tree fell on a vehicle in Kenilworth, underlining the danger posed by saturated ground, strong winds and falling trees during prolonged severe weather.

Road travel has also become increasingly difficult. Chapman’s Peak Drive was closed because of dangerous weather conditions, while roads around Swellendam and Caledon have also been affected by flooding. Over the past week, Plettenberg Bay, George and parts of the Garden Route near Mossel Bay have faced road closures or storm-related disruption.

Motorists are being urged not to take chances on flooded roads. Water can rise faster than expected, and even shallow-looking floodwater can hide damaged road surfaces, strong currents or debris. Travellers moving between Cape Town, George, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay should check local municipal alerts before starting their journey.

The national disaster declaration gives the government more room to coordinate emergency support, redirect resources and assist communities where infrastructure has been damaged. Officials said the biggest impact so far has been on roads, drainage systems and communities living in flood-prone areas.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has warned that flooding remains a recurring threat because many people live in areas unsuitable for human settlement, including floodplains and informal communities close to rivers or low-lying land. He urged residents to put life first when evacuation warnings are issued, even when they fear leaving homes and belongings behind.

Relief organisation Gift of the Givers said cooperation with evacuation warnings appears to have improved compared with previous floods. According to the organisation, emergency halls filled more quickly after high-level warnings were issued, suggesting that recent disasters have made communities more willing to respond early.

For tourists, the disruption could affect more than flights. Airport transfers, coastal drives, hotel check-ins and planned visits to scenic routes may all be affected by flooding or road closures. Visitors should avoid non-essential travel in heavily affected areas and build extra time into any journey to or from Cape Town International Airport.

The situation is similar to other recent extreme-weather disruptions seen at major airports around the world. Swikblog recently reported on severe wind disruption in Australia, where flights were cancelled at Sydney Airport during dangerous weather conditions. You can read that related report here: Sydney Airport Chaos: Flights Cancelled as 110 km/h Winds Slam City.

For now, Cape Town International Airport and George Airport are still operating, but passengers should expect uncertainty while the storm system continues. The safest step is to confirm flight status directly with the airline, monitor official airport updates and avoid unnecessary road travel through flooded areas.

South Africa’s severe storms have already disrupted flights, closed roads, damaged infrastructure and forced emergency evacuations. Until rainfall and wind conditions ease, further travel delays remain possible across the Western Cape and beyond.