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Busiest Airport in Africa

O R Tambo International Airport in  Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, is the busiest airport in Africa. Situated only 24 km from Johannesburg city centre and 25 km from Sandton, O R Tambo International is ideally located for easy access to the popular areas of the city.

Considered the air transport hub of Southern Africa, the airport caters for approximately 19 million passengers each year with on average 18 000 staff to keep its’ comprehensive services running smoothly for both local and international travelers alike. O R Tambo is host to over 40 airlines and is one of the few airports in the world that has direct, non-stop flights to 6 continents.

With ongoing infrastructure taking place the airport can cater for up to 28 million passengers per year and the new and upgraded terminals offer an array of shops and restaurants with a full duty-free retail mall for international travelers. The airport is beautifully designed, making it one of the best and most comfortable airports in Africa.

Airport Facilities

  • Two public viewing decks
  • Wireless Connectivity Hotspots
  • Internet Cafés with fixed connection networks
  • Postnet (Domestic Terminal)
  • All major Banks ATM facilities
  • Shops, Pharmacies & Restaurants
  • Duty-free mall (International Terminal)
  • Tax Refunds (International Terminal)
  • Foreign Exchange Dealers (International Terminal)
  • Lock-up Luggage (International Terminal Basement)
  • 24-hour Medical Clinic
  • Premier Conference Centre
  • Chapel & Muslim Prayer Room
  • Car rental facilities

Climate

Johannesburg experiences its rainfall in the summer months, with December and January seeing the highest levels.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 12˚C and 26˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 3˚C and 19˚C.

Transport

The easiest option going to and from the airport is the Gautrain which links Sandton and  Pretoria to the airport on this world-class rapid rail system. Other forms of transportation would be hotel shuttles, hired car or taxi.

The airport has specified drop-off and pick-up areas and for those traveling with their own vehicles, ample parking is provided with more than 11 500 parking bays. Long term parking facilities are available at the Super South Gate with 24 - hour shuttle services provided to and from the terminal.

Travelers are advised to arrive one and a half hours before the departure of domestic flights and three hours before departure time of international flights.

Accolades

In the 2012 World Airport Awards, O R Tambo was named the second best airport in Africa and in 2014 it took first place as the Best Airport in Africa at the Skytrax World Airport Awards held in Barcelona.

In 2013 O R Tambo came in fifth place as the best Airport in Africa, for their customer service as recognized by their passengers, in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards.

History

OR Tambo International Airport was founded in 1952 as “Jan Smuts Airport”, named after South Africa’s renowned statesman. Due to the United Nation sanctions against South Africa in the struggle against  Apartheid, many international airlines had to stop flying to the airport. After the ending of Apartheid many airports were renamed and sanctions lifted and in 1994 the airport became known as Johannesburg International Airport after the newly formed South African government implemented the policy to not name airports after politicians. The policy, however, was later reversed and in October 2006 the airport was renamed after a former African National Congress President, Oliver Tambo.

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