Passengers travelling through Cape Town International Airport are facing long queues and flight delays as ongoing taxi-related unrest disrupts airport operations.

According to IOL, hundreds of travellers experienced delays on Friday, 30 October 2026, after staff shortages affected operations at the airport.

Some passengers reportedly missed their flights, while others spent hours waiting to check in as queues continued to grow.

Staff shortages disrupt airport operations

The disruption comes amid ongoing taxi-related unrest across parts of Cape Town, which has affected the ability of airport staff to report for duty.

According to IOL, the staff shortages have contributed to lengthy check-in queues and delays affecting several flights.

FlySafair confirmed that its operations at Cape Town International Airport were being affected by the unrest.

In a response to customers on X, formerly Twitter, the airline explained that the situation had resulted in staff shortages and delays to several flights.

FlySafair said its teams were working to limit the disruption and assist passengers in reaching their destinations as safely and quickly as possible.

The airline also apologised to customers affected by the delays.

Airport urges travellers to arrive early

Cape Town International Airport has issued a warning to passengers planning to travel on Friday.

Airport management urged travellers to arrive several hours before their scheduled departure times to account for possible traffic disruptions and delays.

The warning follows ongoing taxi-related unrest in parts of the city, which has created additional challenges for airport operations.

Travellers heading to the airport could face delays before reaching the terminal, while those already at the airport may experience longer waiting times.

Passengers face uncertainty amid unrest

The disruptions have added to the difficulties facing Cape Town residents as taxi-related tensions continue to affect transport across the city.

For passengers with scheduled flights, the impact could extend beyond longer queues, with some travellers already reportedly missing their departures.

Although FlySafair has confirmed delays affecting several flights, the full extent of the disruption remains unclear.

Passengers are encouraged to allow additional travel time and check their flight status with their airlines before leaving for the airport.

Cape Town International Airport has not indicated when normal operations are expected to resume.

The airport's warning comes as travellers face continued uncertainty over how the unrest could affect their journeys.