OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Former Name: Johannesburg International / Jan Smuts Airport
Africa’s Busiest Travel Hub
O.R. Tambo International Airport stands as Southern Africa’s premier international and domestic airport, and the main hub of South African Airways.
Named after ANC President Oliver Reginald Tambo in 2006
Africa’s Leading Airport (2005 – World Travel Awards)
Over 15.3 million passengers served in 2004
Hosted Concorde altitude tests in the 1970s
Historical Milestones
- 1952: Founded as Jan Smuts Airport
- 1953: Received first commercial De Havilland Comet jet from London
- 1996: Became Africa’s busiest airport
- 2006: Renamed OR Tambo International
Airport Infrastructure
O.R. Tambo features 6 terminals, organized for optimized flow:
- Domestic Terminal – revamped in 2003 for modern convenience
- International Terminal – world-class facilities for long-haul travelers
- Transit Terminal – smooth and efficient passenger transfers
Runways
- 2 parallel north-south runways
- Western runway: 4,400m long, among the world’s longest
Future-Ready
- Targeting 24 million passengers annually by 2015 and beyond
- Constant upgrades to support international standards and sustainability
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- Facilities & Services
Restaurants, retail shops, duty-free stores
Full-service medical clinic (doctors, dentist, physio, optometrist)
Free Wi-Fi & business lounges
ATMs and full banking services
Transport options: taxis, buses, shuttle services
Modern parkade with 5,000+ parking bays
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