OR Tambo International Airport
OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International) is the busiest airport on the continent - and the air transport hub of southern Africa.
The airport caters for over 13 million passengers each year, and employs some 18 000 people to keep its modern infrastructure and comprehensive services for local and international travellers running smoothly.
Tight, effective management makes OR Tambo International one of the most cost-effective airports in the world. It has overtaken Cairo in terms of passenger traffic, and plays host to over 50 airlines.
In the 2008 World Airport Awards, OR Tambo was named the second leading airport in Africa, with Cape Town winning, and Durban finishing third.
Upgraded terminal, conference centre
The opening of a new, state-of-the-art domestic terminal in 2003 significantly expanded the airport's capacity and facilities. The terminal offers a huge array of restaurants and shops, a duty-free retail mall for international travellers, and a conference centre and business support facility.
The user-friendly terminal was designed to encourage natural movement of passengers, as well as to cater for the needs of disabled people, with lifts placed in the centre of the terminal for easy weelchair access.
Pick-up and drop-off facilities directly outside the terminal ensure easy access for arriving and departing passengers.
The R450-million terminal development was accompanied by a R400-million upgrade of adjacent aprons and the road network feeding the airport.
Medical, business facilities
The airport's medical clinic offers a wide variety of services to travellers. The public can see a physiotherapist, consult a doctor, have their eyes tested, visit the dentist - and even go for botox injections, for those worried about the lines around their eyes!
For business (and pleasure) travellers, there's both wired and wireless internet connectivity. You can get behind a PC or plug in your own laptop at the Airport Online office, while a wireless option allows laptop users to get online from anywhere in the retail section - so you can enjoy a meal or cup of coffee while finishing that report or catching up on your e-mail.
Transport, parking
From OR Tambo International, you can take a domestic flight to another South African city or, if you're staying in Johannesburg - the airport is 24 kilometres from the city centre - it's a quick drive by hotel shuttle, hired car or taxi to your destination.
- For a list of South Africa car rental companies, see Driving in South Africa.
There is ample parking at the airport: the airport's multi-storey parkade boasts over 5 000 parking bays.
Access to the airport precinct has been simplified dramatically, with all passenger drop-offs taking place on an upper roadway and all pick-ups on a lower roadway.
Shuttle and golf cart services are available to ferry passengers between parking areas and terminals. Porter services are on stand-by to help with heavy luggage, while banking services, automatic teller machines (ATMs), forex dealers, as well as a choice of car rental services can be found dotted throughout the terminal buildings.
For more information, including passenger services, flight information, weather, maps and business opportunities, visit Airports Company South Africa.
SAinfo reporter
Last updated: June 2009
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