Tourists and holiday travelers faced major delays at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday, August 4th, after a Kenya Airways plane was disabled on the main runway.
WHAT HAPPENED
At 3:25pm, Kenya Airways flight KQ784 suffered a tyre burst shortly after landing. The aircraft was left stranded on the airport’s primary runway.
THE IMPACT
- International flights: Departures suspended. Many flights marked “indefinitely delayed”
- Domestic flights: Slowly resumed as teams worked to clear the runway
- Cause: Safety protocols kept all other aircraft grounded until the plane was recovered
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
“Airport teams are working closely with the airline and other stakeholders to safely recover the aircraft and restore normal operations as quickly and safely as possible.”
— Ofentse Dijoe, ACSA Spokesperson
UPDATE
ACSA confirmed at 7:08pm that the runway was reopened. Passengers were urged to check the ACSA mobile app for updates.
BIGGER QUESTION
With 11.1 million passengers in 2025, the reported incident highlights pressure on the Cape Town International Airport. ACSA has a R6.2 million upgrade and a new runway planned; however, calls continue to grow for a second airport in the Cape Winelands as a long-term solution.
IF YOU’RE TRAVELING: Check your flight status, arrive early, and contact your airline for rebooking.