The Existence Of Airports In Pretoria Explained

Pretoria, South Africa, is served by several airports, including the well-known Wonderboom Airport, located approximately 15 km north of the city. Wonderboom Airport was originally a civilian airstrip for light aircraft and was used for military training during World War II. Today, it handles a limited number of passenger flights, and the airport has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years. Other airports near Pretoria include O.R. Tambo International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, and AFB Waterkloof, the main base of the South African Air Force.

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Wonderboom Airport: Pretoria's airport for civilian and military use

Wonderboom Airport is Pretoria's airport, serving civilian and military use. It is located approximately 15 km north of Pretoria, in the northern suburbs of the city, and is about a 40-minute drive from the city centre. The airport was opened in 1937, built on the farm Wonderboom, from which it gets its name.

Initially, Wonderboom Airport was a civilian airstrip for light aircraft, but during the Second World War, it was used for military training. After the war, in 1945, the airport returned to civilian control. In 1965, the airport underwent extensive expansion, with new terminal buildings, hangars, and runway extensions. This allowed the airport to receive its first Boeing 737 in 1982. Further upgrades were carried out in 1993, and in 2000, ownership of the airport was transferred to the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.

Today, Wonderboom Airport handles a limited number of passenger flights for light aircraft, and it is also used by local parachuting clubs. Notably, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the airport served as an alternative airport for VIP guests, foreign dignitaries, and heads of state. While there are currently no scheduled passenger flights to and from Wonderboom Airport, there have been plans and investments made towards establishing such services in the future.

The airport has a domestic departures terminal with a business class lounge for business-class customers and selected Voyager members. There are also shops and restaurants available for travellers' convenience. Wonderboom Airport is well-connected to Pretoria and surrounding areas via shuttle services, taxis, car hire, and Uber.

O.R. Tambo International: Pretoria's nearest major airport

Pretoria does not have an airport within its city limits. However, the city is served by the nearby O.R. Tambo International Airport, which is located about 46 km south of Pretoria's city centre. The airport is situated in the Kempton Park district of Johannesburg, approximately 23 km northwest of Johannesburg's city centre.

O.R. Tambo International Airport, with the airport codes JNB and FAOR, is a significant aviation hub in South Africa. It serves as the primary airport for both domestic and international travel to and from the country. The airport is named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, the former African National Congress President and a prominent anti-apartheid activist. Formerly known as Jan Smuts International Airport, the name change to O.R. Tambo International was implemented on 27 October 2006.

As one of the busiest airports in Africa, O.R. Tambo International offers a comprehensive range of facilities and services for passengers. The airport features a network of asphalt taxiways, multiple runways, and several aprons for aircraft parking. It also provides essential travel conveniences such as parking, lounges, shops, and food and beverage outlets. Additionally, there are six hotels within the airport precinct, providing convenient accommodation options for travellers.

O.R. Tambo International Airport is easily accessible from Pretoria, with a drive time of approximately 40 minutes. The airport is well-connected to the region's transport network, including shuttle services, metered taxis, car hire, and Uber options. Furthermore, the opening of the Gautrain in 2010 improved connectivity to the airport, providing a direct rail link from Pretoria and other major centres.

While Wonderboom Airport is located in the northern suburbs of Pretoria, it primarily caters to light aircraft and has limited passenger flight operations. Therefore, for those travelling to or from Pretoria, O.R. Tambo International Airport remains the nearest major airport offering a comprehensive range of services and convenient travel options.

Lanseria Airport: Another airport near Pretoria

Lanseria International Airport (HLA) is another airport near Pretoria, South Africa. It is located 32 miles from Pretoria and it takes approximately 36 minutes to drive there. The fastest way to get to Pretoria from Lanseria Airport is by taxi, which takes 36 minutes and costs $45 to $55. Alternatively, Evo's African Shuttle operates a shuttle service from the airport to Pretoria for $46, and the journey takes 45 minutes.

Lanseria Airport is known for its luxury travel offerings and is home to various charter companies that offer private jets. It has also attained the prestigious Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) – Mapping Level. The airport is close to Sandton, the business, financial, and commercial hub of South Africa.

Wonderboom Airport, located 15 km north of Pretoria, is another airport in the area. It was originally a civilian airstrip for light aircraft and was used for military training during World War II. Wonderboom Airport currently handles a limited number of passenger flights, although there are currently no flights operating to or from the airport.

In 2007, the City of Pretoria announced plans for scheduled passenger service from Wonderboom Airport, investing R165.5 million to upgrade the airport. However, it appears that these plans may have been discontinued, as sources indicate that there are no flights currently operating from this airport.

Pretoria's AFB Waterkloof: Main base of the South African Air Force

Pretoria is served by Wonderboom Airport, located 15km north of the city. The airport was opened in 1937 and was built on the farm Wonderboom. It was originally a civilian airstrip for light aircraft and was used for military training during the Second World War. Wonderboom Airport currently handles a limited number of passenger flights for light aircraft and is used by local parachuting clubs.

However, when people refer to Pretoria's AFB Waterkloof, they are talking about the main base of the South African Air Force (SAAF). This is an airbase located on the outskirts of Pretoria, 6km from another SAAF base, AFB Swartkop. It is the SAAF's busiest airbase, serving nine squadrons, including 21 Squadron VIP transport, 28 Squadron medium transport, and two other light transport squadrons. AFB Waterkloof is also home to several important centres, including the Central Photographic Institute, the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre, the Electronic Warfare Centre, and the SAAF Telecommunications Centre.

The base was officially opened on 1 August 1938 as Waterkloof Air Station and has been in the service of the SAAF ever since. It was upgraded to an Air Force Base during World War II. The base's name means "water ravine" in Afrikaans and Dutch. Despite the name, the base is not located in the suburban town of Waterkloof, Pretoria, but lies about 8km to the northeast of Centurion, Gauteng.

Over the years, AFB Waterkloof has been at the centre of several controversial incidents. In 2013, a flight carrying Indian citizens who were in South Africa to attend a wedding in the Gupta family landed at the airbase. This was in contravention of South African law, as the airbase is classified as a National Key Point and is not meant to be used for personal air travel. In 2023, a US-sanctioned Russian transport plane landed at the airport, carrying an unknown cargo. This incident strained South African-US relations, as it raised American skepticism about South Africa's neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Other airports near Pretoria: Kruger Mpumalanga, Sir Seretse Khama, Matsapha, etc

Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is served by the Wonderboom National Airport. However, there are several other airports near Pretoria that travellers may consider. These include Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, and Matsapha Airport.

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is located between Nelspruit and White River at the foot of the Kruger National Park. It is serviced by a wide range of airlines and destinations and is known for its budget-friendly options. The airport is particularly convenient for those travelling to the southern and western Sabi Sand lodges, offering a 2.5-hour drive or transfer to these destinations.

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, located about 10 kilometres north of Gaborone, is another option for travellers. It is approximately a one-hour flight from Johannesburg and two hours from Harare. This airport has the capacity to handle regional and international traffic and boasts the largest passenger movement in Botswana.

Additionally, Matsapha Airport, situated at an elevation of 2,075 feet (632 metres) above mean sea level, is another airport in the region. While less information is readily available about this airport, its runway characteristics are documented as per ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.

Other airports that serve the region near Pretoria include Skukuza Airport, located inside the southern Kruger Park, and Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, which serves the central Kruger area and offers a relaxed atmosphere with unique amenities.

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