The biggest and best airports in Africa.
1. OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in Johannesburg is the air transport hub of Southern Africa. Catering for more than 17 million passengers each year it is Africa’s biggest and busiest airport. With more than 18,000 people employed by various companies at ORTIA, the airport plays a vital role in the Gauteng province’s economy, and boasts an impressive infrastructure that has expanded by thousands of square metres from its modest origins.
OR Tambo International, which hosts airlines from all five continents, is a part of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). In October 2006 the country’s flagship airport was renamed as a tribute to one of the new South Africa’s most important founding fathers. Oliver Reginald Tambo, fondly known as O.R. by his peers, is renowned in South Africa and abroad for his significant contribution to the liberation of South Africa.
2. Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town International Airport is Africa’s third largest airport, located approximately 20km from the city centre. It has established a reputation as Africa’s premier international award-winning airport, consistently performing among the best in the world in terms of customer service. The airport has also gained praise for its unique split-level design.
3. King Shaka International Airport, Durban, South Africa
King Shaka International Airport, also known as La Mercy Airport is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa. Located approximately 35 km north of the city of Durban, it opened its doors to passengers on 1 May 2010, just over a month before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
4. Cairo International Airport, Cairo, Egypt
Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s largest airport and is the second busiest airport in Africa with over 65 airlines using it annually. The airport has three terminals and a new cargo terminal is currently under construction. In 2010, the airport was voted one of the three most improved airports in the 2010 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
5. Hurghada International Airport, Hurghada, Egypt
Hurghada International Airport is located 5km southwest of El Dahar. The airport is currently served by one terminal, however construction of a new terminal complex with an annual passenger capacity of 7.5 million is currently underway. Passengers will have access to a wide variety of stores, duty-free boutiques and restaurants.
6. Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport is the second busiest airport in Egypt after Cairo International Airport. In 2008, the Egyptian Airports Holding Company announced plans to build a third new terminal at the airport which will double its capacity from 7.5 to 15 million passengers per year. It is scheduled for completion in 2012.
7. Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, Morocco
Mohammed V International Airport is an airport operated by ONDA (National Airports Office). Located 30km southeast of Casablanca, it is the busiest airport in Morocco with almost 7.25 million passengers passing through the airport in 2010. It was named after the late Sultan Mohammed V of Morocco.
8. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria
Murtala Muhammed International Airport is located in Lagos, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the city of Lagos, southwestern Nigeria and the entire nation. The airport opened officially on 15 March 1979 and today it is the main base for Nigeria’s flag carrier airlines, Air Nigeria and Arik Air.
9. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Kenya’s largest aviation facility, and the busiest airport in eastern and central Africa and is named after the first Kenyan Prime Minister and President Jomo Kenyatta. Kenyatta airport is located to the southeast of Nairobi and is the main hub of Kenya Airways, JetLink Express and Fly540.
10. Port Elizabeth International Airport, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Port Elizabeth Airport is situated in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The airport is owned and operated by the Airports Company South Africa and is located approximately two miles south of the city’s CBD earning it the name “Ten minute airport” because it is less than ten minutes’ drive from most major areas of the city.
