South Africa is home to several of the busiest airports on the African continent, serving as crucial transportation hubs for domestic and international travel. These bustling airports play a vital role in connecting millions of passengers to their desired destinations, both within South Africa and around the world. With modern facilities, advanced technology, and a wide range of airlines operating within their terminals, the busiest airports in South Africa ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers.
Busiest Airports in South Africa, 2024
From the bustling O.R. Tambo International Airport in Joburg to the vibrant Cape Town International Airport and the thriving King Shaka International Airport in Durban, these airports exemplify South Africa’s significance as a prominent player in global aviation, catering to the growing demands of business and leisure travelers alike.
1. O.R. Tambo International Airport
Passengers in 2023: 17.4 million
O. R. Tambo International Airport is an international airport situated in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. It serves as the primary airport for domestic and international travel to/from South Africa. The airport is currently the busiest airport in South Africa, with a capacity to handle up to 28 million passengers annually.
The airport which serves as the hub for South African Airways handled over 17.4 million passengers in 2023.
O. R. Tambo International Airport recorded 21.2 million passengers in 2017–2018, up from 20.7 million passengers the year before. Of those passengers, 9.2 million were international and 11 million domestic, with the remainder being classified as “regional” or “unscheduled”.
There are six terminals at the airport, but these can be broken down into three major areas: the international terminals; the domestic terminals; and the transit terminals.
2. Cape Town International Airport
Passengers in 2023: 7.8 million
Cape Town International Airport is the primary international airport serving the city of Cape Town, and is the second busiest airport in South Africa and sixth busiest airport in Africa. The airport was upgraded and renovated in 2010, ahead of the World Cup Soccer event.
Cape Town International is the best airport in Africa and is also the second largest airport in South Africa.
Cape Town Airport has 2 terminals – international and domestic. Both are linked to a large central terminal building. There are 24 airlines at Cape Town Airport with nearly 100 destinations and the busiest route is Cape Town – Johannesburg with more than 4.5 million passengers annually, being the ninth busiest route in the world.
3. King Shaka International Airport
Passengers in 2023: 4.3 million
King Shaka International Airport is the primary international airport serving Durban, South Africa.
The airport which opened its doors to passengers on 1st May 2010, a month and 11 days before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was designed by Osmond Lange Architects and Planners and cost US$900 million.
The statistics place King Shaka International Airport as the third busiest airport in South Africa, behind OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport.
4. Lanseria International Airport
Passengers in 2023: 2.4 million
Lanseria International Airport, situated in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a privately owned international airport. It has the capacity to accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757-300 and was established to alleviate traffic congestion at OR Tambo International Airport. Notably, Lanseria International Airport holds the distinction of being South Africa’s sole privately owned international airport.
5. Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Passengers in 2023: 1.1 million
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport formerly known as Port Elizabeth Airport is the fourth busiest airport in South Africa in terms of passenger numbers. The airport serves the city of Port Elizabeth, which is the fifth largest city in the South Africa. It is known as the “ten minute airport”, because of its close proximity to the city centre.
The airport was formally known as HF Verwoerd Airport (1970’s through to 1998) and then Port Elizabeth International until 2021, when the name was again changed to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.
Revised in September 2024
