Africa is a vast and diverse continent, with a population of over 1.2 billion people and 54 countries. With so many people, there is a significant demand for air travel, and many airports on the continent are incredibly busy. However, when it comes to the busiest airport in Africa, there is one clear winner.
Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport is Africa’s busiest airport, handling over 21 million passengers in 2019. The airport is named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and former president of the African National Congress.
Located in the Kempton Park suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport serves as a hub for South African Airways and Kulula. It offers flights to more than 90 destinations around the world, with over 50 airlines operating from its terminals.
The airport’s history dates back to the 1950s when the original Johannesburg International Airport opened. However, as air travel increased in popularity, the airport quickly outgrew its capacity, and in the 1980s, a new airport was built to replace it. The new airport was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2006 to honor Tambo’s contributions to the country.
The airport has six terminals, including a domestic terminal and an international terminal. It features a wide range of amenities, including restaurants, bars, duty-free shops, and lounges. The airport also has excellent transport links to Johannesburg and beyond, with a high-speed rail link connecting it to Sandton and Pretoria.
Despite being Africa’s busiest airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport faces stiff competition from other airports on the continent. Cairo International Airport in Egypt, for example, handled over 15 million passengers in 2019, while Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, handled over 12 million passengers. These airports are also major hubs for airlines such as EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines, respectively.
In conclusion, while there are many busy airports in Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, takes the crown as the busiest. With millions of passengers passing through its terminals each year, it serves as a vital transport hub for the continent, connecting people from all over the world.
