Key Takeaways
- OR Tambo International Airport has partially shut its lower roadway, affecting pick-up and drop-off areas
- The airport has diverted passengers and taxi drivers to its parking area to exit the airport, causing potential delays
- OR Tambo is the busiest airport in Africa, with 1,224,799 departing seats in December 2025
- The airport has direct flights to all inhabited continents and can handle up to 19 million passengers a year
- Road closures are in place due to infrastructure upgrades, and passengers are advised to factor in extra travel time
Introduction to OR Tambo International Airport
OR Tambo International Airport, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, is the busiest airport in Africa, with a significant number of departing passengers. According to data from the global travel data organization OAG, the airport recorded 1,224,799 departing seats in December 2025, which is a 6.8% increase compared to December 2024. This makes OR Tambo the second-busiest airport in Africa, surpassing Cape Town International Airport, which recorded 663,879 departing seats. The airport’s strategic location and state-of-the-art facilities have made it a major travel hub, with direct flights to all inhabited continents.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Road Closures
Recently, the airport has implemented road closures due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades, which have affected the pick-up and drop-off areas. The lower roadway, which is the arrivals area, has been partially shut, and passengers and taxi drivers are being diverted through the parking area to exit the airport. The airport has advised those picking up or dropping off passengers to use parkade 2 North and South instead. While the short-term parking area remains open, areas beyond the pedestrian crossing and the spine road are restricted and will be strictly managed. The road closures are expected to cause delays, and passengers are advised to factor in extra travel time.
Impact on Passengers and Traffic
The road closures have significant implications for passengers and traffic at the airport. Each passenger being collected or dropped off by friends and family or by a taxi service will have to enter and exit the airport parkade, causing major traffic jams and lengthy disruptions. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has advised passengers to expect delays and to allow extra travel time. The airport has also announced that should a passenger or their loved one arrive on the lower road, they will be rerouted to the parkade for collection and drop off. This has caused inconvenience to many passengers, and the airport has received requests for more information about when the restrictions will be lifted and what work is being carried out.
History and Development of OR Tambo International Airport
OR Tambo International Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1952 when it was originally known as Jan Smuts Airport. The airport served as a military airfield during World War II and transitioned into a civilian airport afterwards. By the 1960s and 1970s, it had already cemented itself as one of the biggest and busiest airports in Africa. In 1994, the airport’s name was changed to Johannesburg International Airport, but in 2006, it was renamed to honor the late former ANC president, Oliver Tambo. The airport underwent a major upgrade ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and today, 41 airlines use the airport to fly to 93 global locations.
Conclusion and Future Developments
In conclusion, OR Tambo International Airport is a major travel hub in Africa, with a significant number of departing passengers and direct flights to all inhabited continents. The recent road closures due to infrastructure upgrades have caused delays and disruptions, but the airport is working to minimize the impact on passengers. With its rich history and state-of-the-art facilities, OR Tambo International Airport is expected to continue to play a vital role in South Africa’s aviation industry. As the airport continues to upgrade and expand its facilities, it is likely to remain one of the busiest and most important airports in Africa, catering to the needs of millions of passengers every year.
