OR Tambo International Airport

OR Tambo International Airport
Name	OR Tambo International Airport
IATA	JNB
ICAO	FAOR
Owner	Airports Company South Africa
City-served	Johannesburg
Location	Kempton Park, Gauteng
Elevation-f	5,558
Elevation-m	1,694
Coordinates	26, 08, 21, S...
Website	[https://www.airports.co.za/airports/or-tambo-international www.airports.co.za]

OR Tambo International Airport is the primary international airport serving Johannesburg, South Africa, and the busiest airport on the African continent. Located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, it serves as a major hub for South African Airways and a key gateway for travel to Southern Africa. The airport is managed by the Airports Company South Africa and is named after Oliver Tambo, the former president of the African National Congress.

History

The airport was originally established as Jan Smuts International Airport in 1952, named after the former Prime Minister of South Africa, Jan Smuts. It replaced the older Palmietfontein Airport as the city's main airport. A significant expansion occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the construction of a new international terminal designed by renowned architects Gasson, Meiring, and De Kock. Following the end of apartheid, the airport was renamed in 1994 for Johannesburg International Airport before receiving its current name in 2006 to honor Oliver Tambo. Major upgrades were undertaken ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa, to accommodate increased passenger traffic.

Facilities and terminals

The airport features two primary passenger terminals: Terminal A for domestic flights and Terminal B for international operations, which are connected by a central atrium. Key facilities include the Swissport-managed Bidvest lounges, a large duty-free shopping precinct operated by King Shaka's retail partners, and a Transnet-linked air cargo terminal that is one of the largest in Africa. The complex also houses the Intercontinental Hotels Group's InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, located within the airport precinct. The runways and air traffic control systems are managed in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Airlines and destinations

OR Tambo International Airport is the main hub for the national flag carrier, South African Airways, and its subsidiary South African Express. It also serves as a focus city for Comair (operating as British Airways franchised flights and kulula.com) and Airlink. Major international carriers include Lufthansa, Emirates, Delta Air Lines, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic, connecting Johannesburg to key global hubs like London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Dubai. The airport offers extensive connections across Africa through airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and TAAG Angola Airlines.

Ground transportation

The airport is directly connected to the Gauteng region's road network via the R21 highway and is accessible from the N12 and N3 national routes. The Gautrain rapid rail link provides a direct connection to Sandton and Pretoria, with its station located at the airport's central terminal. Numerous metered taxi services, app-based rides from Uber, and scheduled bus services operated by companies like Translux and Intercape facilitate onward travel. Major car rental agencies, including Avis, Hertz, and Europcar, have facilities on-site.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has witnessed several notable aviation incidents. In 1987, a South African Airways Boeing 747-200 known as the *Helderberg* crashed into the Indian Ocean under mysterious circumstances after departing from the airport. In 2009, a hijacking attempt on a Kulula.com flight was foiled by security forces on the ground. A significant runway incursion incident occurred in 2010 involving an Air Mauritius Airbus A340 and a Cessna 550, which was investigated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

Statistics

As the busiest airport in Africa, it handled over 21 million passengers in the 2018/2019 financial year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport consistently ranks first on the continent for international passenger traffic and air cargo movement, serving as a critical node for trade. Its main runway, 03L/21R, is one of the longest in Africa at 4,418 meters, capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 and other large, long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Boeing 747-8. The airport contributes significantly to the economy of Gauteng and is a major employer through the Airports Company South Africa and its numerous service partners.

Category:Airports in South Africa Category:Buildings and structures in Johannesburg Category:Transport in Gauteng