Johannesburg's Airports: A Tale Of Two Travel Hubs

Johannesburg is served by two airports: Lanseria Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport. O.R. Tambo International Airport, previously known as Johannesburg International Airport, is the main airport in Johannesburg. It is the busiest airport in Africa, serving as the primary hub for domestic and international travel in and out of South Africa. The airport is located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, and is about 18 miles from the centre of Johannesburg. Lanseria Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller airport located further away from the city centre. It is mainly used for charter domestic, regional, and international flights.

O.R. Tambo International Airport

Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, which is located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, 20 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg town. It is the primary airport for domestic and international travel to South Africa, serving the twin cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is Africa's second busiest airport, handling over 21 million passengers in 2017 and with a capacity to handle up to 28 million passengers annually.

The airport was founded in 1952 as Jan Smuts International Airport, named after the former South African Prime Minister. In 1994, it was renamed Johannesburg International Airport, and in 2006, it was renamed after anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo, commonly referred to as O.R. Tambo, the former president of the African National Congress (ANC).

The airport is easily accessible by car, train, and bus. It is located at the eastern end of the R24 Airport Freeway and can also be accessed from Pretoria via the R21 highway. The Gautrain, a modern regional express rail system, provides a direct link to the airport from Sandton and other destinations. Additionally, several bus lines, including Metrobus and Putco, serve the airport twice a day.

Lanseria Airport

Lanseria International Airport (IATA: HLA) is a privately owned airport located at the north-western edge of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is situated north of Randburg and Sandton, with its entrance on the R512 road (Pelindaba Road). The airport was created to reduce traffic congestion at O.R. Tambo International Airport, which is the primary airport for Johannesburg and the main capital of South Africa, Pretoria.

The history of Lanseria Airport dates back to 1972 when it started as a grass strip airfield founded by two Pretoria pilots, Fanie Haacke and Abe Sher. The airport was officially opened in August 1974 and has since undergone several upgrades. In 2012, the airport was sold to a consortium, including an infrastructure development fund management company, a women's empowerment company, and the Government Employee Pension Fund.

The airport provides world-class facilities and services to passengers, including designated smoking areas, religious prayer spaces, baby changing facilities, and mobile phone rentals. Additionally, Lanseria Airport offers convenient transport options, such as swift passenger pick-up and parking options for both short and long-term stays.

In July 2024, plans for a significant airport upgrade were unveiled. The upgrade will include new Fixed Base Operator facilities, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facilities, and an upgraded Taxiway Alpha. These enhancements will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330, with completion expected by 2031, subject to approval.

Grand Central Airport

Johannesburg, South Africa, is served by multiple airports, including Grand Central Airport. Located in Midrand, halfway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Grand Central Airport is a small privately-owned airfield that is open to public air traffic. The airport is situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa.

The airport serves as a base for numerous flying schools offering training for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It also accommodates two to three fixed-base operators that provide maintenance and repair services for light aircraft. In addition to its aviation facilities, Grand Central Airport offers a range of services for visitors, including food options, aviation retail, and car rental. The airport is also capable of accommodating chartered flights, corporate rental facilities, and aviation maintenance operations.

Overall, Grand Central Airport, with its rich history and diverse offerings, plays an important role in the aviation landscape of Johannesburg and the surrounding region.

Palmietfontein Airport

Johannesburg, South Africa, is served by O. R. Tambo International Airport, formerly known as Jan Smuts Airport. However, before this airport was constructed, another airport served the city: Palmietfontein Airport.

After its closure in 1953, Palmietfontein Airport was transformed into a motor racing circuit. Today, the township of Katlehong has been established on the site, although parts of the original runway are still visible on Google Maps.

Transport in Johannesburg

Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, is served by two main airports: Lanseria Airport (HLA) and O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). O.R. Tambo International Airport is the main airport, located in Kempton Park, Gauteng. It is the busiest airport in Africa, serving as the primary hub for domestic and international travel to and from South Africa. The airport has two terminals, A and B, with Terminal A handling international flights and Terminal B handling domestic flights. It is easily accessible by car via the R24 Airport Freeway and R21 highway, and public transport options include train, bus, and taxi.

Lanseria Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller, privately-owned airfield located further from the city centre. It is used mainly for charter and regional flights and has fewer public transport options.

In addition to these two main airports, there are other airfields in Johannesburg, such as Grand Central Airport and Palmietfontein Airport, but these are smaller and may not offer scheduled commercial flights.

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