George Airport expansion set to unlock Garden Route growth

 The George Business Chamber’s manager, Judy Westraat, has welcomed the Airports Company SA’s (Acsa) R310m expansion of the George Airport as a critical investment needed to lift its capacity ceiling of one million passengers a year, reports George Herald.

Westraat has warned that the limited capacity of the airport is constraining growth in George and the wider Garden Route. This while the region is experiencing a continued rise in the numbers of new residents, visitors and investment.

Acsa recently announced that construction on the extension is scheduled to start in October. It is planning to double the terminal’s capacity to two million passengers a year.

According to Westraat, the rapid growth of passengers has left little room for further expansion of the regional economy. “The airport carried more than 911 000 passengers in 2025, an 11% increase year-on-year, so it is already operating close to its one million passenger capacity ceiling. 

“For our members in tourism, hospitality and trade, that ceiling has become a real constraint on growth, not just an inconvenience for travellers. Doubling capacity will support investment confidence and position George as a genuine regional business hub.”

Westraat said the chamber also hopes the project will pave the way for more direct domestic links beyond Cape Town and Johannesburg to match the region’s growing trade and tourism demand.

George Tourism manager Joan Shaw said the expansion would make George an even more appealing destination. “It creates the opportunity for increased airlift, which is ultimately what drives visitor growth.”

More opportunities

The expansion is said to open up more opportunities for business tourism, conferences and major sporting events and has the potential to encourage more competitive airfares. Passengers’ experience would be improved through the upgraded facilities such as additional check-in counters, self-service kiosks, a third baggage carousel and an improved Instrument Landing System that will reduce weather-related disruptions.

Semigration and remote working will also be supported as many residents travel regularly between the Garden Route and major centres.

The region could also be marketed more effectively during the quieter months, provided that additional flights are introduced and remain competitively priced.

Shaw said increasing flight frequency on the busiest domestic routes, especially between George, Cape Town and Gauteng, would have the greatest immediate benefit for tourism and business travel. Additional services to Durban and Bloemfontein would also be welcomed, as these would support business travel, conferences, sporting events and the growing semigration market. However, the relatively short driving distance to Gqeberha means additional flights there may be less commercially viable.

Future growth for George

George is well positioned to accommodate future growth. Its public transport network is expanding. “Future plans include improved connectivity to George Airport and surrounding areas. The local tourism industry has also consistently demonstrated its ability to respond to increasing demand.”

From an accommodation perspective, George already offers more than 5 000 rooms across a wide range of establishments, and capacity is growing.

The Garden Route District Municipality’s executive manager of integrated planning and economic development, Lusanda Menze, said the municipality has had a formal memorandum of understanding with Acsa since 2018, which focuses on improving air access to expand market opportunities for local producers and promoting economic development. He therefore welcomed the expansion.

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