Top South African Airports with the Highest Flight Traffic
**Top Airline Hubs in South Africa Cater to Domestic and International Travel**
South Africa's air travel sector is well-connected, with several key hubs providing extensive domestic and international networks. The largest and most significant of these is OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB), which serves as the main international gateway for the country.
OR Tambo International Airport, known for its iconic design and modern technology, offers a wide range of services to both business and leisure travelers. With a capacity of 28 million passengers annually, it operates a wide range of domestic and international flights, connecting South Africa to key global cities such as London, New York, Hong Kong, and Sydney, as well as numerous African destinations. Major airlines including South African Airways (SAA), Airlink, CemAir, Safair, and international carriers operate here.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT), the second major airport, is the main hub for western South Africa. It handles significant international and domestic traffic, with direct flights to Johannesburg and other cities. Cape Town has grown as a hub especially for low-cost carriers like FlySafair and LIFT, which are highly rated for service quality in Africa. The airport, with a capacity of 10 million passengers annually, offers facilities such as shopping areas, cafes, and lounges.
King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban is another important hub, offering travelers facilities such as shopping areas, cafes, and lounges. It is crucial for domestic and regional connections, served by airlines such as Airlink, CemAir, South African Airways, and Turkish Airlines. The airport has a capacity of 7 million passengers annually.
Smaller regional airports like Bloemfontein, East London, George, Nelspruit, and others connect primarily to Johannesburg and Cape Town, served by regional carriers including Airlink and CemAir. East London Airport, a hub for Mango Airlines, has a capacity of 1 million passengers annually, while Port Elizabeth International Airport, with a capacity of 2 million passengers annually, operates both domestic and international flights.
King Shaka International Airport, known for its modern design, and Port Elizabeth International Airport are noteworthy for their contributions to domestic and regional connections. OR Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in South Africa, located in Johannesburg, stands out for its state-of-the-art medical center and a world-class baggage handling system.
These hubs provide strategic scheduling for business and leisure travelers, connectivity to regional African markets, supporting economic growth, and amenities including lounges, retail, dining, car rental, and transport links. They also offer support for international transfers and cargo services.
In summary, South Africa's air travel sector is well-equipped to cater to both domestic and international travelers, with OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) serving as the premier hub for international and domestic flights, followed by Cape Town International Airport, which serves as a vital gateway for both full-service and low-cost carriers. King Shaka International Airport in Durban and East London Airport in East London also play key roles in the country's air travel network.
[1] https://www.airports.co.za/ [2] https://www.airportscompanyza.co.za/ [3] https://www.flysaa.com/ [4] https://www.flymango.com/
Travelers at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg can enjoy a range of services catering to both business and leisure lifestyles, while Cape Town International Airport offers an array of facilities such as shopping areas, cafes, and lounges, particularly for low-cost carriers. These South African airline hubs provide extensive domestic and international networks, supporting economic growth and facilitating connections to key global cities.
