093. Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)

JNB

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is far more than just a transportation hub; it is a vibrant symbol of South Africa’s connectivity, economic dynamism, and pivotal role on the African continent. As Africa’s busiest and largest airport, JNB serves as the primary gateway for millions of passengers and tons of cargo, linking Southern Africa to the rest of the world.

The History of JNB

The history of what is now O.R. Tambo International Airport stretches back to the mid-20th century, emerging from a period of significant global change. Its origins are rooted in the need for a modern airport to handle the growing demands of air travel in Johannesburg, a city rapidly expanding as an economic powerhouse.

Prior to JNB, air traffic in Johannesburg was served by Rand Airport, built in the 1920s. However, by the 1940s, its runways proved too short for the new generation of larger aircraft, necessitating a move. Palmietfontein Airport, a former wartime air force base southeast of Johannesburg, served as a temporary solution, handling European flights from 1945 while a more permanent and expansive facility was being planned and constructed.

The site for the new airport was chosen near Kempton Park, and construction commenced. It officially opened in 1952, originally named Jan Smuts Airport (JNB) in honor of Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts, a prominent South African and British Commonwealth statesman. This new facility immediately drew traffic from Palmietfontein and established direct links with major international cities, including London’s Heathrow Airport.

The airport underwent its first major transformation in 1994 when, following the end of apartheid, the new ANC-led South African Government renamed it Johannesburg International Airport. This change reflected a policy of not naming public infrastructure after politicians. However, this policy was later rescinded, and in 2006, the airport was once again renamed to O.R. Tambo International Airport, paying tribute to Oliver Reginald Tambo, a revered anti-apartheid revolutionary and former president of the African National Congress. This renaming was a powerful symbolic gesture, aligning the nation’s premier airport with a key figure in its democratic transition.

Throughout its existence, O.R. Tambo International Airport has undergone continuous development and upgrades, especially in the lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when it served as a critical entry point for hundreds of thousands of visitors. Today, it stands as a testament to strategic planning and continuous modernization, establishing itself as a crucial hub for southern hemisphere air travel.

JNB Quick Facts and Statistics

O.R. Tambo International Airport’s statistics underscore its immense scale and importance within Africa’s aviation landscape.

  • Official Name: O.R. Tambo International Airport (formerly Jan Smuts Airport, Johannesburg International Airport)
  • IATA Code: JNB
  • ICAO Code: FAOR
  • Opened: 1952 (as Jan Smuts Airport)
  • Operator: Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
  • Location: Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa, approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) east-northeast of downtown Johannesburg.
  • Elevation: Situated at 1,694 meters (5,558 feet) above mean sea level, making it a “hot and high” airport. This high altitude means the air is thinner, requiring longer runways for aircraft to achieve takeoff velocity.
  • Runways: Two parallel asphalt runways:
    • 03L/21R: 4,421 meters (14,495 feet) long, 60 meters (197 feet) wide. This is one of the longest runways in the world due to the airport’s high altitude.
    • 03R/21L: 3,405 meters (11,171 feet) long, 60 meters (197 feet) wide.
  • Terminals: The airport features a single, integrated terminal complex, divided into Domestic and International sections, with a Central Terminal Building (CTB) connecting them.
  • Passenger Capacity: Designed to handle up to 28 million passengers annually.
  • Passenger Traffic: Handled over 21 million passengers in 2017 and surpassed 22 million passengers in recent periods, solidifying its position as Africa’s busiest airport.
  • Cargo Capacity: Capable of facilitating approximately 650,000 tonnes of cargo per annum.
  • Aircraft Movements: Manages over 220,000 aircraft movements annually, with an hourly air traffic movement capacity of 53.
  • Global Positioning: Services airlines from five continents and is a critical hub for travel between Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. It is ranked among the top airports globally in terms of overall performance and customer satisfaction.

World-Class Facilities for a Diverse Global Hub

O.R. Tambo International Airport offers a comprehensive range of facilities and services designed to cater to the needs of its diverse international and domestic travelers. The airport’s layout is user-friendly, with the Central Terminal Building seamlessly connecting the Domestic and International terminals.

Terminal Features:

  • Shopping and Dining: A significant retail footprint spans high-end duty-free stores, international brands, and a wide array of African curio shops, offering unique local crafts and souvenirs. The food and beverage options are extensive, ranging from global fast-food chains and coffee shops to local South African cuisine, fine dining restaurants, and bars.
  • Lounges: JNB boasts numerous premium lounges for both domestic and international travelers, including:
    • International Lounges: Air France Lounge, Aspire Lounge (Swissport), Bidvest Premier Lounge, British Airways Lounge, Emirates Lounge, Menzies Shongololo Lounge, South African Airways Lounge, and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.1 These provide comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and often shower facilities.
    • Domestic Lounges: Bidvest Lounge, British Airways Slow Lounge, Menzies Mashonza Lounge, and South African Airways Lounge.
  • Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal for up to 4 hours, with a maximum data usage of 1GB. Charging points for electronic devices are also prevalent.
  • Baggage Services: Luggage trolleys are readily available, and self-employed porters (identifiable by orange vests and ACSA permits) offer assistance. Services like luggage wrapping, lost luggage assistance, and baggage storage are also provided.
  • Medical and Wellness: A medical clinic, pharmacies, and first aid stations are on hand for emergencies.
  • Religious Facilities: A Christian Chapel is open 24/7 for prayer and quiet reflection, holding services on various days. A Muslim prayer facility is also available 24/7, with separate male and female sections and Friday prayer services.
  • Business Facilities: The Premier Conference Centre in the domestic terminal offers modern spaces for meetings, seminars, and conferences of various sizes.
  • Accessibility: The airport is fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM), featuring lifts, ramps, accessible toilets, and designated parking bays. Wheelchairs are available on request, and airlines can arrange special assistance for boarding and disembarking.
  • Information and Services: Information desks are strategically located throughout the terminals, providing assistance with flight details, airport services, and ground transportation. Banks, foreign exchange counters, post office, and VAT Refund points are also available.

Hotel Integration: O.R. Tambo International Airport is well-integrated with a selection of hotels within and immediately around the airport precinct, catering to various budgets and needs, from the luxury InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (directly opposite the arrivals exit) to more economical options like City Lodge.

A Multitude of Airlines

As Africa’s primary gateway, O.R. Tambo International Airport hosts a vast array of airlines, connecting Johannesburg to destinations across the globe and within South Africa and the wider African continent.

  • South African Airways (SAA): As the national flag carrier, SAA uses JNB as its main hub, offering an extensive network of domestic, regional African, and international long-haul flights to Europe, North America, and other global destinations. SAA’s comprehensive network is critical for connectivity across the continent.
  • Other Domestic Carriers: A strong contingent of domestic airlines provides frequent connections to all major South African cities, including Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London. These include:
    • Airlink: A regional airline offering extensive connections within South Africa and to smaller destinations in Southern Africa.
    • FlySafair: A popular low-cost carrier (LCC) for domestic routes.
    • LIFT: A relatively new domestic LCC.
    • CemAir: Another domestic and regional carrier.
    • Historically, Kulula and Mango also played significant roles in the domestic market.
  • Regional African Carriers: Numerous airlines connect Johannesburg to other African capitals and key cities, solidifying JNB’s status as a continental hub. These include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Peace, RwandAir, TAAG Angolan Airlines, Air Botswana, Air Zimbabwe, LAM Mozambique Airlines, and more.
  • Major International Carriers: A wide array of full-service airlines from five continents operate at JNB, linking South Africa to key global cities:

This comprehensive mix of full-service, regional, and low-cost carriers underscores JNB’s critical role in global aviation and its importance to South Africa’s tourism and economic sectors.

Efficient Ground Transportation

O.R. Tambo International Airport offers diverse and efficient ground transportation options to connect travelers to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and beyond.

  • Gautrain Rapid Rail Link: This is the most popular and recommended method for rapid transit. The Gautrain station is located on the upper level between the airport’s terminals A & B (International and Domestic), accessible by lifts and escalators from the arrivals level. The train connects the airport to Sandton and then on to Rosebank and Park Station in central Johannesburg, and also north to Pretoria. It offers a fast, safe, and reliable service, making it ideal for both business and leisure travelers.
  • Taxis: Metered taxis are readily available at designated ranks outside the arrivals areas of the terminals. It is advised to use airport-approved operators, typically displaying the ACSA logo on their vehicles, for safety and fair pricing. A taxi ride to central Johannesburg usually takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Ride-Hailing Services (Uber, Bolt): Popular ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt operate at JNB. Dedicated pick-up zones are available, and passengers can easily request rides via their respective apps upon arrival.
  • Buses and Coaches: A bus and coach terminal is situated in the multi-story parkade behind the car rental depots. Various public and private bus services, including long-distance coaches, connect the airport to Johannesburg city, Pretoria, and other regional destinations. The Rea Vaya rapid transit bus system also offers connections, though it is primarily a city service.
  • Shuttles and Private Transfers: Numerous companies offer pre-booked shuttle services and private transfers, providing door-to-door convenience to hotels and other specific destinations. These can be particularly useful for groups or those with a lot of luggage.
  • Car Rental: All major international and local car rental agencies have offices and desks at the airport, primarily located in the multi-story parking lot opposite the Domestic Terminal. This offers flexibility for travelers wishing to explore Gauteng and other parts of South Africa independently.
  • Parking: JNB offers extensive parking facilities, including multi-story parkades (P1, P2, P3) for short-term and executive parking, as well as long-term shaded parking options, all with convenient access to the terminals.

The Future of O.R. Tambo International Airport

O.R. Tambo International Airport, as Africa’s busiest airport, is continuously planning for future growth and modernization to maintain its competitive edge and accommodate increasing demand. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has unveiled significant investment plans for infrastructure development, with JNB as a primary beneficiary.

Key future projects and initiatives for O.R. Tambo include:

  • Western Precinct Development: This multi-billion Rand project aims to transform the airport hub into an “Aerocity.” It involves the construction of new offices, retail spaces, hotels, and conference facilities. The initial phases focus on creating a mixed-use development with a boulevard at the international departures level, housing various retail stores, restaurants, cafes, and bars, with pedestrian-friendly connections to the Gautrain station and existing hotels. This development is designed to enhance the airport’s non-aeronautical revenue streams and improve the overall passenger and visitor experience.
  • New Cargo Terminal (Mid-field Cargo Facility): To bolster its position as a cargo hub, a new Mid-field Cargo facility is planned. This will significantly increase JNB’s cargo handling capacity and efficiency, catering to the growing demand for air freight.
  • Mid-field Passenger Terminal: As part of the long-term infrastructure Master Plan, the development of a new Mid-field Passenger Terminal is in the pipeline. This ambitious project will be crucial for accommodating projected future passenger demand and further increasing the airport’s overall capacity.
  • Extension of Bussing Gates: Plans include adding six new bussing gates to the existing Terminal A bussing terminal, along with augmenting retail, seating, and holding lounge2 areas. This will improve the efficiency of passenger boarding and disembarking, particularly for aircraft parked on remote stands. A new mezzanine level construction is also intended to enhance circulation and optimize space.
  • Terminal Building Upgrades: Ongoing upgrades to the existing terminal buildings are planned to improve their aesthetic appeal, functionality, and passenger flow. This includes revamping the airport’s façade to present a more modern profile.
  • Technological Integration: Future investments will focus on embracing digitalization, including innovations like real-time tracking systems, data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, improve visibility, and optimize resource allocation.3
  • Sustainability Initiatives: ACSA is committed to sustainable airport operations. Future plans are expected to incorporate further environmental initiatives, such as energy efficiency improvements, waste management, and potentially exploring sustainable aviation fuels.

These ambitious development plans underscore O.R. Tambo International Airport’s commitment to remaining Africa’s premier aviation gateway, a modern and efficient hub that continues to drive economic growth and connect South Africa to the world.

Keyword: TopAirports