Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
History, Facts and Overview

(Johannesburg, South Africa)

Established in the year of 1952 as the Jan Smuts Airport, traffic was immediately attracted from the city's nearby Palmietfontein International Airport. Flights soon linked Johannesburg with London's Heathrow Airport and chartered jet planes quickly became a permanent fixture here.

Johannesburg Airport was renamed in 2006 and became officially known as the OR (Oliver Reginald) Tambo International Airport (JNB) after a prominent South African politician and continues to evolve. Of particular interest to historians is the onsite South African Airways Museum, which features a range of interesting aviation memorabilia.


The onsite facilities at Johannesburg International Airport are easy to find and include a large baggage storage depot, a medical clinic, and banks and ATMs, which are operated by ABSA, American Express and Nedbank. For information about available accommodation in Johannesburg, the Gauteng Tourism Authority counter is on hand to offer advice.

Johannesburg Airport also offers extensive shopping facilities, with more than 40 shops in both the public and restricted areas, including Cape Union Mart, Capi International, Ekhaya, Klein Karoo and Out of Africa. Other highlights include business facilities at the Premier Conference Centre, a chapel and religious areas for Muslim travellers, and around ten restaurants, including the African Lounge, Cafe di Roma and Nandos.