South Africa's Airports Set for Major Upgrades: What travellers can expect

Travellers flying to or within South Africa could see significant changes at the country's airports over the coming years.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is rolling out a R21.7 billion capital investment programme to upgrade infrastructure, increase capacity and improve passenger facilities across its network of nine airports.

The biggest projects are planned for OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, George and several smaller airports are also set to benefit.

So, what does this mean for travellers?

OR Tambo: More reliable infrastructure and better passenger facilities

At Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), a major priority is improving jet fuel infrastructure following recent concerns over the resilience of the airport's fuel supply system.

Passengers are also expected to benefit from more visible improvements, including the continued replacement of escalators and travelators, upgraded toilet facilities, repaired and replaced airport trolleys, and improvements to parking and backup power infrastructure.

Much of the investment will take place behind the scenes, but the aim is ultimately a more reliable airport experience at Africa's busiest airport.

Cape Town International Airport gets the biggest investment

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town is set to receive approximately R11.3 billion, making it the largest individual investment programme in ACSA's current plans.

For travellers, the most important developments include a new domestic arrivals terminal, an expanded domestic departures terminal and additional passenger loading bridges.

More aircraft stands and other airside infrastructure are also planned as Cape Town continues to experience strong growth in domestic and international passenger numbers.

The expansion should eventually provide more terminal capacity and improve passenger flows. However, travellers using CPT over the coming years should expect to see construction activity and occasional changes to familiar routes through the airport.

Durban and regional airports also included

At King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, major terminal expansion remains a longer-term project, with the largest work currently planned for the early 2030s. In the meantime, travellers may see renovations and security-related improvements.

The investment programme also extends to regional airports. George Airport (GRJ) in George, an important gateway to the Garden Route, is expected to receive significant investment through to 2031.

Other airports included in the programme are Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein, King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London and Kimberley Airport (KIM) in Kimberley, where runway and taxiway rehabilitation is scheduled to continue until 2029.

For travellers, these projects should gradually mean improved and more reliable airport infrastructure, although construction work may occasionally result in temporary operational changes.

Should travellers expect disruption?

ACSA says it intends to minimise disruption by separating construction areas from passenger operations and scheduling some work at night or during quieter periods.

That means travellers are more likely to encounter temporary routes, changed signage and boarded-off areas than major terminal closures.

If you are flying through JNB or CPT, it is worth arriving with enough time to navigate any temporary changes—particularly if you have not used the airport recently.

Bottom line

South Africa's airport upgrade programme is a long-term project, so travellers should not expect everything to change immediately.

The most noticeable improvements are likely to be better terminal facilities, more capacity and upgrades to everyday infrastructure such as toilets, escalators and travelators. Behind the scenes, investment in fuel, power and airside infrastructure could also help make airport operations more resilient.

For now, the main advice is simple: keep an eye on airport information before travelling and allow a little extra time if construction work affects your usual route through the terminal.

Have you recently travelled through one of South Africa's airports? Let us know in the comments what improvements - or remaining problems - you noticed.

 

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Luanda Airport move almost complete: Final airline transfer to AIAAN set for March 2026!

Travelling to Angola in 2026? A major aviation change is now in its final phase. Luanda’s new Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) is now handling almost all international flights, with the last airline transfer scheduled for 01 March 2026.
For visitors, this marks the official end of passenger operations at the old 4 de Fevereiro International Airport.

99.9% of flights already operating from AIAAN

Angolan airport authorities confirmed that the transition from the old Luanda airport to the new AIAAN airport in the municipality of Bom Jesus in Icolo e Bengo Province is nearly complete.

Recent airline moves include:

• Royal Air Maroc
• Turkish Airlines
• ASKY Airlines

With these additions, 99.9% of international airline transfers are now finished.
The final airline to relocate is South African regional airline Airlink, with its move scheduled for 01 March 2026, completing the full airport transition.

Airlines now operating at Luanda’s new airport
AIAAN is already hosting most of the major airlines serving Angola, including:

• TAAG Angola Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Emirates
• Air France
• Qatar Airways
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Royal Air Maroc
• Turkish Airlines
• ASKY Airlines

What this means for travellers

This airport move is one of the biggest travel changes in Angola in decades. Here is what visitors should know:

Expect all flights to use the new airport
From March 2026, scheduled passenger flights will operate exclusively from AIAAN.

The airport is much further from the city
This is the biggest adjustment for travellers.

• Old airport: ~5 km from central Luanda
• New airport: ~40 km from central Luanda

Plan for 45–90 minutes travel time to reach the airport.

Allow extra transfer time
Traffic and ongoing infrastructure upgrades mean airport transfers must be planned carefully, especially for early departures.

Why this matters for tourism

The new airport removes one of Angola's biggest travel barriers and will help grow tourism and flight connections across Southern and West Africa.

If you’re flying to Luanda from 2026 onward, plan for Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN).

 

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South Africa: Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town ranked World's Best in AirHelp Score 2025!

AirHelp, a travel tech company tackling flight disruptions, has just released its annual AirHelp Score 2025, ranking the world’s top-performing airports. The ranking evaluated 250 airports across 68 countries using a comprehensive methodology based on on-time performance (60%), customer service and airport experience (20%), and shop and restaurant ratings (20%). The results are based on flights and passenger feedback from 01 June 2024 to 31 May 2025.
South Africa's Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town has claimed the top spot worldwide, achieving an outstanding overall score of 8.57. This result sees CPT surpass Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar - last year’s number one - which now ranks second with a score of 8.52.
In a further win for South Africa, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban made its debut in the global Top 10, ranking 7th with a solid 8.40 score. This is the first time Durban's airport has entered the elite group of the world’s best-performing airports.
Meanwhile, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, which held 6th place in the 2024 ranking with a score of 8.29, saw a slight drop in performance in the 2025 ranking. It now stands at 20th place, with a still-respectable score of 8.10.

The AirHelp Score is regarded as one of the most reliable and transparent global airport rankings, combining hard performance data with real passenger feedback to recognize airports that deliver top-quality travel experiences.

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TAAG Angola Airlines to fully relocate operations to Luanda’s new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in September 2025! [update]

update (01 September 2025): TAAG Angola Airlines will shift its main operations from Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) to the brand-new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in Luanda on 01 October 2025. 

TAAG Angola Airlines, the national carrier of Angola, has officially announced that it will complete the full relocation of its operations from Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (LAD) to the new state-of-the-art Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) on 15 September 2025. Located approximately 40 km east of Luanda in Bom Jesus (Icolo e Bengo municipality), the new airport marks a major leap in Angola's aviation development. The transition, which began in November 2024, is now entering its final phase, with Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) set to host TAAG Angola Airlines' high-traffic international routes to Lisbon, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Windhoek, São Tomé, and Maputo. These destinations join existing domestic connections and regional connections to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) already operating from the new hub. Constructed by Chinese contractors, Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) spans over 1,324 hectares and features two parallel runways capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. With three modern terminals, 30 boarding gates (19 international and 11 domestic), and cargo facilities supporting up to 130,000 tons annually, the airport is designed to handle up to 15 million passengers per year—making it one of the largest and most advanced airports in Africa.

Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) is named after Angola's first President, António Agostinho Neto (17 September 1922 – 10 September 1979). 

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ACSA launches major infrastructure upgrade across South Africa’s airports!

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has embarked on a large-scale infrastructure maintenance and capital expansion programme at all nine of its airports in South Africa. This initiative underlines ACSA’s commitment to operational efficiency, improved passenger experience, and sustainable economic growth in South Africa's aviation sector.
As part of the national maintenance programme, ACSA is focusing on essential infrastructure such as sewerage systems, ablution facilities, and fire escapes. Enhanced safety and hygiene measures are also being rolled out in high-traffic and sensitive areas to improve both security and comfort for travellers.
At OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, a phased refurbishment of all ablution facilities - including male, female, baby-change, and accessible amenities - is currently underway. This project began in December 2024 and is expected to be completed by December 2025, significantly improving hygiene standards and passenger comfort at Africa’s busiest airport.

During a stakeholder briefing with airline representatives, ACSA CEO Ms. Mpumi Mpofu confirmed that many of the current infrastructure projects will be completed between late 2025 and 2027. She emphasised ACSA’s continued investment in future-proof infrastructure that supports long-term growth and resilience in South African aviation.

“This programme signals ACSA’s strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mpofu. “It reflects our financial sustainability and our ability to reinvest in infrastructure that benefits both the aviation industry and the national economy.”

ACSA is also undertaking a series of infrastructure upgrades to modernise airport operations, improve energy resilience, and prepare for future passenger growth. Key highlights include:

• Jet Fuel Infrastructure at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB): Installation of a new 20-inch feeder line and implementation of Jet Fuel Redundancy Phase 1 to ensure consistent fuel supply. Backup power generators are also being replaced to secure critical operations.
• Passenger Loading Bridges (PLBs): Structural refurbishments and system upgrades are underway across several airports, with major milestones set for November 2025 through 2026.
• Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): A phased replacement of UPS systems will enhance energy reliability at key operational areas, with completion targeted for 2026.
• People Movers: Ongoing replacement of escalators and lifts aims to eliminate long-standing inefficiencies. Several escalators are already in service, with the programme concluding in 2027.
• Instrument Landing and Weather Systems: Upgrades to Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) will be completed by late 2026, supporting enhanced aviation safety and compliance.
• Terminal and Roofing Works: HVAC system upgrades, waterproofing of terminal roofs, and airside enhancements are part of a broader strategy to improve comfort and safety.
• Fuel and Fire Infrastructure: Extensive refurbishment of fuel hydrants, booster pumps, and meter systems will ensure operational safety and reliability.

ACSA is working in close coordination with the South African government, airlines, and commercial partners to ensure that infrastructure upgrades are completed on schedule and with minimal disruption to passengers and airport staff.
These wide-reaching improvements reflect ACSA’s renewed focus on delivering a world-class airport experience across South Africa - while laying the groundwork for long-term growth in both domestic and international air travel.

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Cape Town International Airport (CPT) crowned Best in Africa for 10th year at 2025 SKYTRAX Awards!

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town has once again soared to the top, being named the Best Airport in Africa for the tenth consecutive year at the 2025 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. This prestigious recognition highlights the airport's ongoing commitment to world-class service, cleanliness, and efficiency.
Coming in at second and third place in Africa were OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, respectively.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) didn’t just top the overall list—it also took home two more coveted awards:

• Best Airport Staff in Africa 2025
• Cleanest Airport in Africa 2025

Meanwhile, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) shined as the Best Regional Airport in Africa 2025 and secured second place for Best Airport Staff in Africa 2025.

Johannesburg's Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel was awarded Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2025, proving that travellers passing through OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) can expect exceptional service on the ground and at their stay.

Best Airport in Africa 2025:

1. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) – Cape Town
2. OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) –  Johannesburg
3. King Shaka International Airport (DUR) – Durban

Best Airport Staff in Africa 2025:

1. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) – Cape Town
2. King Shaka International Airport (DUR) – Durban
4. OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) – Johannesburg

Cleanest Airport in Africa 2025:

1. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) – Cape Town

Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2025:

1. Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel  – Johannesburg

Best Regional Airports in Africa:

1. King Shaka International Airport (DUR) – Durban
5. Dawie Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) – Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth
7. Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) – Bloemfontein
8. King Phalo Airport (ELS) – East London

The SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™ are considered the most prestigious accolades in the airport industry. These awards are based on the world’s largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey, conducted independently and free from any airport influence. The 2025 survey collected feedback from over 100 nationalities between August 2024 and February 2025, covering more than 575 airports worldwide.

Congratulations to all the winners and especially to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town for setting the gold standard for African aviation!

South Africa: ATNS updates navigation at key airports! [update]

update (29 April 2025): The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa has announced significant progress in maintaining Instrument Flight Procedures. During March and April 2025, ATNS has been able to submit all nine priority approach procedures for OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth, and King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Two of these procedures have already been approved, with the remaining seven currently undergoing ground validation.
ATNS recognises that there is still a lot of work to be done, especially the maintenance of the arrival and departure procedures at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Furthermore, ATNS is pleased to report that all 19 priority arrival and departure procedures for OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) have been submitted and approved by the SACAA. The publication of six of these arrival and departure procedures will become effective on 15 May 2025. The rest will become effective from June 2025 onwards.
Through our international Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) headhunting initiative, ATNS has recruited 18 ATCOs. 17 have accepted employment, with one still in negotiation.

The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa, in close collaboration with the Ministerial Intervention Team (MIT) appointed by the South African Minister of Transport, has taken decisive action to ensure the safety and efficiency of the country’s airspace. Maintenance of critical Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) has been prioritised to guarantee that key network airports across South Africa remain fully equipped with essential instrument approach capabilities.

All vital flight approach procedures have been submitted to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and received official approval. This includes updated instrument approach procedures at the following major South African airports:

• OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) – Johannesburg
• King Shaka International Airport (DUR) – Durban
• Dawie Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) – Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) – Cape Town
• Polokwane International Airport (PTG) – Polokwane
• Lanseria International Airport (HLA) – Johannesburg
• George Airport (GRJ) – George
• King Phalo Airport (ELS) – East London

These updates help maintain safe and reliable air travel across South Africa, especially during poor weather conditions, ensuring smooth connectivity for both domestic and international passengers.

As of 08 April 2025, flight procedures at the following airports in South Africa are temporarily suspended due to pending maintenance:

• Richards Bay Airport (RCB) – Richards Bay
• Upington Airport (UTN) – Upington
• Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) – Bloemfontein

Until maintenance is completed, these airports will only be accessible under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). This means that flights will only operate during clear weather with no instrument approach access available in low-visibility or adverse weather conditions.
ATNS has confirmed that restoring full operational procedures at these regional airports is a top priority, with efforts underway to resume safe and weather-independent operations as soon as possible.

In a positive development, ATNS has announced that ten new Air Traffic Controllers have accepted job offers and will begin joining the organisation in the coming months. This boost in personnel will significantly enhance ATNS’ capacity to manage and maintain safe, efficient, and uninterrupted air navigation services. Recruitment for additional critical skills remains ongoing.

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Ranking: These two airports in South Africa are among the world's top ten 2024!

AirHelp, a claims management company that promotes and enforces air passenger rights in cases of flight disruptions, has released its annual airport ranking. For this year, the company ranked 239 airports from 69 countries to create the "AirHelp Score 2024". In order to ensure a reliable ranking, AirHelp used information on each airports’ on-time performance from its own extensive database (contribution to the score: 60%), and combined it customer opinion on the airports' staff, wait times, accessibility and cleanliness (20%) as well as with passenger ratings of the airports' shops and restaurants (20%). The "AirHelp Score 2024" looks at flights taken from 01 May 2023 to 30 April 2024.

According to this years findings, two airports in South Africa made it into the top ten of the world's best airports. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named the world's second best airport 2024 (8.50/10), while OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg came in sixth (8.29/10).  Overall winner of the "AirHelp Score 2024" is Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar (8.52/10). Congratulations!

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Angola: Passenger flight operations at Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) to begin in the last quarter of 2024! [update #3]

update (20 January 2025): The flag carrier of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, has announced that it will begin operating regional flights from new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN). Effective 01 February 2025, flights to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) will depart from the new airport. Also from 01 February 2025, domestic flights to Cuito, Moçâmedes, Catumbela, Ondijva, Menonque, Huambo, Lubango will be operated from Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN).

update (06 November 2024): TAAG Angola Airlines will start to operate domestic flights to Dundo, Saurimo, Luena and Soyo from Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) in December 2024 and complete the transfer of the remaining domestic and international links the new airport in the first quarter of 2025.

update (29 October 2024): The flag carrier of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, has announced that it is set to start operating domstic passenger flights from new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN). Effective 10 November 2024, flights to Cabinda Airport (CAB) in the city of Cabinda will depart from the new airport. Cabinda is located in the Cabinda Province, an exclave of Angola, separated from the main part of the country by a narrow strip of land belonging to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the Angola Press Agency (Angop), the official news agency of Angola, the country's new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) is set to begin passenger flight operations in the last quarter of 2024. The airport, which will gradually replace Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (LAD) in Luanda as Angola's main international airport, is located approximately 40 km east of central Luanda in the commune of Bom Jesus in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo.
Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) was inaugrated in November 2023. It was initially planned that domestic passenger flight operations begin in February 2024 and international flight operations in July 2024. This had to be delayed due to various reasons, The airport has been receiving cargo flights since January/February 2024.
Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN), which cost about US$ 3 billion to built, covers an area of 1,324 hectares. With an passenger capacity of 15 million travellers annually (10 million international and 5 million domestic) the airport is one of the largest airports in Africa. AIAAN has two parallel asphalt runways - the northern runway is 4,200 m long and 60 m wide, while the southern runway is 3,800 m long and 60 m wide. The airport has 31 boarding lanes, of which 19 for international services and 11 for domestic services, as well as nine conveyor belts for baggage storage, six of which are dedicated to international flights. The infrastructure further includes 26 counters of the Immigration and Foreigners Service (SME), a parking lot for 1,710 vehicles, as well as space reserved for shops. It also has 22 VIP lounges, a clinic and a first aid center attached to the passenger terminal.

Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) is named after Angola's first President, António Agostinho Neto (17 September 1922 – 10 September 1979).

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Survey: Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town named Best Airport in Africa for the nineth consecutive year!

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named Best Airport in Africa for the nineth consecutive year at the 2024 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) came in second in the continental category, followed by OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) also won the Best Airport Staff in Africa 2024 award and the Africa: The Cleanest Airports 2024 award, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) won the Best Regional Airport in Africa 2024 award and its staff was named second best in Africa 2024.
The Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg scooped the Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2024 award. Congratulations!

SKYTRAX' annual World Airport Awards™ are prestigious accolades for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. They are regarded as the quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 500 airports. The survey and awards are independent of any airport control, influence or input. The survey, which evaluates traveller experiences across different airport service and product key performance indicators, was conducted from  August 2023 until March 2024. Over 100 customer nationalities participated in it.

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South Africa: Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) reiterates hand baggage regulations at its airports!

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which owns and operates South Africa's nine principal airports, including O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, has announced that it reiterates hand baggage regulations at its airports as the festive season 2023/24 looms. These regulations aim to manage the carriage of hand baggage onto aircraft and identify passengers with non-compliant items before reaching the security checkpoint. Such passengers will be directed back to check-in counters to transfer their baggage to check-in baggage.
The hand baggage regulations are applicable to all flights operating at ACSA airports within South Africa, as well as regional and international flights departing from South Africa. They are considered essential, not only to uphold hand baggage policies but also to prioritise cabin and flight safety and are in alignment with global best practices.
According to the regulations, the hand baggage allowance is as follows:

• Economy-class passengers: one bag plus one slimline laptop bag or handbag
• First-class passengers: two bags plus a slimline laptop bag*
• Bags may not exceed the total dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
• Weight limit per bag: 7kg
• Passengers who exceed the hand luggage limit will be subject to the specific airline’s excess baggage rules.

Where an exception to the stated rules is granted by an airline to the passenger, the passenger will be accompanied to the security point by uniformed airline staff who shall confirm such exception to the security officer or official manning the hand baggage control point.

* Slimline laptop bag means that this bag is of a size and thickness specifically designed to carry a laptop and charger and does not include bags capable of carrying items such as documents, clothes, and other items.

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Angola: The new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) has been officially opened!

The President of the Republic of Angola, João Lourenço, today officially inaugrated the long-delayed Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN). The new airport will gradually replace Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (LAD) in Luanda as Angola's main international airport. AIAAN, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2017, is located approximately 40 km east of central Luanda in the commune of Bom Jesus in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo. The airport will become operational in a phased manner, with the 1st stage reserved for cargo services, until February 2024. The 2nd phase is planned to begin in February 2024, with domestic flight operations. The last stage, scheduled for June 2024, will be marked by the start of international flight operations.
Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN), which cost about US$ 3 billion to built, covers an area of 1,324 hectares. With an passenger capacity of 15 million travellers annually (10 million international and 5 million domestic) the airport is one of the largest airports in Africa. AIAAN has two parallel asphalt runways - the northern runway is 4,200 m long and 60 m wide, while the southern runway is 3,800 m long and 60 m wide. The airport has 31 boarding lanes, of which 19 for international services and 11 for domestic services, as well as nine conveyor belts for baggage storage, six of which are dedicated to international flights. The infrastructure further includes 26 counters of the Immigration and Foreigners Service (SME), a parking lot for 1,710 vehicles, as well as space reserved for shops. It also has 22 VIP lounges, a clinic and a first aid center attached to the passenger terminal.

Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport is named after Angola's first President, António Agostinho Neto (17 September 1922 – 10 September 1979).

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Survey: Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town named Best Airport in Africa for the eighth consecutive year!

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named Best Airport in Africa for the eighth consecutive year at the 2023 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) came in second in the continental category, followed by OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein was named tenth Best Airport in Africa.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) also won the Best Airport Staff in Africa Award and the Africa: The Cleanest Airports 2022 Award, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) won the Best Regional Airport in Africa Award. Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg was named Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2023.

SKYTRAX' annual World Airport Awards™ are prestigious accolades for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. They are regarded as the quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 550 airports. The survey and awards are independent of any airport control, influence or input. The survey, which evaluates traveller experiences across different airport service and product key performance indicators, was conducted from August 2022 until February 2023. Over 100 customer nationalities participated in it.

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Airports Company Zimbabwe introduces (free) Wi-Fi at major international airports in Zimbabwe!

Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), which currently manages and operates a network of eight airports in Zimbabwe, and Dandemutande, a Zimbabwean Internet connectivity solutions provider, have entered into a partnership to provide Wi-Fi at Zimbabwe's major international airports. The service, named "Uspot" is already functional at RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare, and, according to state-owned Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald, will also be introduced at Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) in Bulawayo. "Uspot" gives users free 100 megabytes of data; additional data has to be paid for. 

@Airports_Zim and @DandemutandeZW have entered into a partnership to provide Wi-Fi at the major airports Victoria Falls, J M Nkomo and R G Mugabe airport.

Uspot gives free 100 megabytes then you pay for additional data.

Brick upon brick we will get there pic.twitter.com/ymN5Ekqugk

— Airports Company Of Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 (@Airports_Zim) December 4, 2022

Survey: Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town named Best Airport in Africa for the seventh consecutive year!

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named Best Airport in Africa for the seventh consecutive year at the 2022 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) came in second in the continental category, followed by OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein was named tenth Best Airport in Africa. Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Rwanda's capital Kigali was voted seventh Best Airport in Africa 2022.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) also won the Best Airport Staff in Africa Award and the Africa: The Cleanest Airports 2022 Award, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) won the Best Regional Airport in Africa Award.  The Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg was named Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2022.

SKYTRAX' annual World Airport Awards™ are the most prestigious accolades for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. They are regarded as the quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 550 airports. The survey and awards are independent of any airport control, influence or input. Analysis of the results shows a close correlation to customer numbers using the airports during 2021, a time when varying travel conditions remained in place across many global regions, and with air travel quickly returning across most of the world, more normal times are coming back.

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Mozambique: The new Xai-Xai Chongoene Airport has been officially opened! [update]

update (09 December 2021): The new airport in Chongoene is named "Filipe Jacinto Nyusi Airport".

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi has officially opened the Xai-Xai Chongoene Airport in the country's southern province of Gaza. The countruction of the new airport, which was undertaken by the China Aviation International Construction and Investment Co., Ltd. (AVIC AIC), started in 2018 and was funded by the Chinese government at a cost of US$75 million. The Xai-Xai Chongoene Airport has an annual passenger capacity of 220,000, a runway of 1,800 metres, a 28-metre control tower and an apron large enough to harbour four Embraer 170 aircraft.
At the opening ceremony of the airport on 29 November 2021, President Filipe Nyusi said that "the airport is a landmark for the country’s infrastructure, and is expected to help develop tourism, industry, agriculture and logistics in Gaza, thus boosting the regional and national economy".
Xai-Xai Chongoene Airport is located 30 kilometres from Gaza's provincial capital Xai-Xai.

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Limpopo: Eastgate Airport underwent major refurbishment!

Eastgate Airport (HDS), also known as Hoedspruit Airport, in Hoedspruit in South Africa's Limpopo province underwent a major refurbishment which started in mid-2020 and was completed in early November 2021. With an average of 150 monthly flights and over 7000 passengers passing through its gates any given month, the airport needed an upgrade to better service its growing clientele of residents in the surrounding area and tourists visiting the Kruger National Park and private game reserves. The renovations included:

• A complete overhaul of the entrance gate
• Installation of additional check-in counters to assist with the high volume of passengers
• Increase in the size of the departure lounge to allow for ample seating
• The curio shop and refreshment kiosk received a major revamp
• The size of the baggage claim area was increased
• An ungrade of the boarding area to include a comfortable and sheltered waiting area with sufficient seating
• The fitting of the car park area with a large section of shading, sponsored by Kapama Private Game Reserve. Guests visiting Kapama Private Game Reserve now have the luxury of climbing onto shaded game vehicles before driving across the road to begin their safari adventure at one of the Reserve’s four luxury 5-star lodges.

© eastgateairport.co.za

Eastgate Airport / Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) currently operates scheduled flights from Airlink and CemAir from both Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as private charter flights.
The airport is located just outside Hoedspruit, in the eastern reaches of South Africa’s Limpopo province. The airport offers quick access to Kruger National Park as well as to the towns of Tzaneen and Phalaborwa.

Cape Town: MyCiti bus service has resumed its airport service!

MyCiti, the bus-based public transport system that has a network of routes across Cape Town, has resumed its airport route (A01) on 01 November 2021. The A01 route operates between the MyCiTi Airport bus station right outside the main Airport terminal and Civic Centre station in Cape Town's city centre with onward transfers every 30 minutes on weekdays from 05:00 to 21:30, and on weekends from 06:00 to 21:30. A single-trip card, which is valid for one journey, including transfers to other routes, currently costs R85/person. For more information on MyCiti's airport service, click here (pdf). 

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Namibia: The upgrade of Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) to be completed at the end of September 2021!

The Namibia Airports Company (NAC), the state-owned operator of eight of Namibia's largest airports, has announced that the N$250 (N$260?) million Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) Congestion Alleviation project practical completion date is set for the end of September 2021. The specialist equipment, such as the baggage handling and reclaim will be commissioned and operationalized towards the end of October 2021. The Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) Congestion Alleviation project commenced in September 2019 and was initially supposed to be completed by September/October 2020. According to Dan Kamati, Marketing officer of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), the delayed completion is mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is the main international airport of Namibia. The airport is situated over the Khomas Mountains some 45 km east of Windhoek.

Survey: Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town named Best Airport in Africa for the sixth consecutive year!

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named Best Airport in Africa for the sixth consecutive year at the 2021 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) came in second in the continental category, followed by OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth, which used to be named Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) until February 2021, was named 9th Best Airport in Africa, while Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein was ranked on 10th position. Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Rwanda's capital Kigali was voted 8th Best Airport in Africa 2021.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) also won the Best Airport Staff in Africa Award and the Best Airport Cleanliness in Africa Award, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) won the Best Regional Airport in Africa Award.
SKYTRAX' annual airport customer survey for the Passenger’s Choice Awards operated from August 2020 until July 2021, with many travellers voting for their favourite / best airport based on pre-pandemic travel experiences, whilst other customers voted after their Covid-19 Airport Experience during the past 12 months. The SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™ began in 1999, when SKYTRAX launched its first global, airport customer satisfaction survey. They are regarded as a quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 500 airports.

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