Owais Crawford
Jan Smuts International Airport, now known as O.R. Tambo International Airport, was built in 1952 and is located 20 miles northeast of Johannesburg, South Africa. The airport was renamed in 2006 to honour Oliver Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician. The original name of the airport was chosen to commemorate Jan Christiaan Smuts, who served as the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1919 to 1924.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Built | 1952 |
| Original Name | Jan Smuts Airport |
| Location | Kempton Park, 20 miles northeast of Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Area | 3,706 acres |
| Elevation | 5,512 ft (1,680 m) or 5,558 ft (1,694 m) |
| Renaming | Johannesburg International Airport in 1994; O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2006 |
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What You'll Learn
Jan Smuts Airport was built in 1952
Jan Smuts Airport, now known as O.R. Tambo International Airport, was built in 1952. It was originally named after Jan Christiaan Smuts, the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1919 to 1924. The airport is located in the city of Kempton Park, about 20 miles northeast of Johannesburg, in what was then the Union of South Africa.
The construction of the airport replaced Palmietfontein International Airport, which had been handling European flights since 1945. In 1943, the Cabinet of the Union of South Africa decided to build three international airports, with a Civil Airports Advisory Committee formed to investigate and report on the viability of this plan. The committee's report, submitted to the Cabinet in March 1944, recommended one main international airport on the Witwatersrand and two smaller international airports at Cape Town and Durban.
The site chosen for Jan Smuts Airport was an expropriated undulating dairy farm of 3,706 acres with a 598-acre eucalyptus plantation. The airport was built on a plateau, with the area sloping away towards the east and drained by the Blesbok River. When it opened in 1952, the South African Airways' Skymaster plane, named Tafelberg, was the first aircraft to touch down, carrying the Minister of Transport, Paul Sauer, and 42 other passengers.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several name changes and renovations. In 1994, about three years after the end of apartheid, the airport was renamed Johannesburg International Airport as part of a new government policy of not naming airports after politicians. However, this policy was later reversed, and in 2006, the airport was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport in honour of Oliver Reginald Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician and former president of the African National Congress.
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It was renamed Johannesburg International Airport in 1994
The airport was originally known as the Jan Smuts International Airport, named after the former South African Prime Minister Jan Christian Smuts. However, in 1994, about three years after apartheid was abolished, the airport underwent a change in name. The Republic of South Africa's newly reconstituted government established a new policy of not naming airports after politicians. This policy shift was part of a broader effort to distance the country from its previous system of racial discrimination and segregation. As a result, the airport's name was changed to Johannesburg International Airport.
The airport's renaming to Johannesburg International Airport reflected the country's transition to a new era, leaving behind the legacy of apartheid and embracing a more inclusive and representative approach. This change symbolised a break from the past and a step towards a future where all citizens, regardless of race, could participate fully in the democratic process.
The name change also aligned with the airport's role as a gateway to Johannesburg and, more broadly, South Africa. As the country's leading airport, it services local and international flights to and from Johannesburg, catering to thousands of passengers annually. The renaming recognised the city's significance as a commercial and industrial hub, enhancing its reputation as a global destination.
It is worth noting that the policy of not naming airports after politicians was eventually reversed. In 2006, the airport was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport in honour of Oliver Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician and one-time African National Congress president. This renaming recognised Tambo's contributions to the struggle for equality and justice in South Africa, solidifying the airport's association with figures who have positively impacted the nation's history and development.
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The airport was renamed again in 2006
The airport, originally known as the Jan Smuts International Airport, was renamed again in 2006. This time it was named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician and central figure in the African National Congress (ANC). The airport thus became known as the O.R. Tambo International Airport.
The renaming of the airport in 2006 was not the first time the airport's name had changed. In 1994, the airport was renamed Johannesburg International Airport. This name change came about due to a new government policy that was established around three years after apartheid was abolished. The policy stated that airports should not be named after politicians. However, this policy was eventually reversed, leading to the 2006 renaming.
The O.R. Tambo International Airport is situated near the city of Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. It is one of the country's largest airports and is considered the leading airport in South Africa. The airport services thousands of passengers travelling on international flights from Johannesburg to 93 destinations across the globe, as well as domestic flights.
The airport is located 23 kilometres east of Johannesburg's city centre and 46 kilometres south of Pretoria. It is situated in the Johannesburg suburb of Kempton Park, which is in Gauteng, the heart of South Africa's commercial and industrial hub. The airport's high elevation of 5,512 feet (1,680 metres) makes it a "hot and high" airport, impacting aircraft performance.
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It is now called O.R. Tambo International Airport
The airport was originally known as the Jan Smuts International Airport, named after the former South African Prime Minister. It was founded in 1952, two years after Smuts's death. It was situated near the town of Kempton Park, 20 miles northeast of Johannesburg, and replaced Palmietfontein International Airport, which had handled European flights since 1945.
In 1994, following the end of apartheid, the newly reconstituted government established a policy of not naming airports after politicians. As a result, the Jan Smuts International Airport was renamed Johannesburg International Airport. However, this policy was eventually reversed, and in 2006, the airport was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport. The new name honoured Oliver Reginald Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician and central figure in the African National Congress (ANC). Tambo also served a term as President of South Africa.
As the country's leading airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport services thousands of passengers travelling on local and international flights from Johannesburg to 93 destinations across the globe. The airport has six terminals, divided into three major areas: an international terminal, a domestic terminal, and a transit terminal. The runways at the airport are longer than most airports due to the high altitude, which is 1,700 metres above sea level. This makes them some of the longest runways in the world.
The airport has undergone several developments and upgrades over the years, including the expansion of the international terminal and the construction of a new Central Terminal Building, which was completed in 2009. O.R. Tambo International Airport is one of the few airports in the world to offer direct, non-stop flights to six continents. It is the biggest airport in South Africa and the busiest airport in Africa.
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It is the biggest airport in South Africa
The O.R. Tambo International Airport, formerly known as the Jan Smuts Airport, is the biggest airport in South Africa. It was established in 1952 and was renamed in 2006 to honour Oliver Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician and former president of the African National Congress (ANC). The airport is located in the city of Kempton Park, 20 miles northeast of Johannesburg, and is situated 5,512 feet (1,680-1,694 metres) above sea level. This high elevation makes it a "hot and high" airport, impacting aircraft performance and requiring long runways.
As the country's leading airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport services a high volume of passengers on local and international flights, connecting Johannesburg to 93 destinations across the globe. The airport has six terminals, divided into three major areas: an international terminal, a domestic terminal, and a transit terminal. The airport has undergone significant developments over the years, including the construction of a new Central Terminal Building, which was completed in 2009, boosting passenger capacity.
The airport is well-equipped with shops, restaurants, money-changing services, ATMs, and ticket booking facilities. It also houses the South African Airways Museum, showcasing the country's aviation history. O.R. Tambo International Airport is easily accessible from Johannesburg and Pretoria due to its excellent road infrastructure and is situated in the heart of South Africa's commercial and industrial hub.
The airport is one of the few in the world to offer direct, non-stop flights to six continents. It has two parallel runways adjacent to the terminal buildings, and the length of these runways is notable due to the airport's altitude. The airport has a rich history, initially named after Jan Christiaan Smuts, the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1919 to 1924.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jan Smuts Airport was built in 1952.
The airport was initially named the Jan Smuts International Airport, after the former Prime Minister of South Africa.
The airport was renamed Johannesburg International Airport in 1994, and then O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2006.
The airport was renamed after Oliver Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid politician and one-time African National Congress president.
The airport has also been known as Jan Smuts Airport and OR Tambo International Airport.
