Cape Town Air Access, a multiagency initiative led by Western Cape provincial trade, investment and tourism promotion agency Wesgro, on Thursday released its latest figures on the economic benefits brought to Cape Town and the Western Cape by international air passengers arriving at Cape Town International Airport. Last year, 605 000 such passengers arrived at this airport, injecting R24.3-billion into the Western Cape economy and supporting 10 600 jobs. “These latest economic impact assessment results underscore the significance of the Cape Town Air Access project and its role in increasing direct air connectivity, creating a ripple effect on both tourism and the broader economy,” affirmed Wesgro CEO and Cape Town Air Access official spokesperson Wrenelle Stander. “With the upcoming peak summer season expected to surpass 2019 [pre-Covid pandemic] passenger levels, it is clear this number will continue to grow in 2023.”