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Airport and Air Travel in South Africa

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Meeting The Demand For Air Travel

South Africa has extensive air connections worldwide and the country’s airports and domestic air network are of a high international standard. The aviation sector is undergoing significant expansion with the sustained growth of the business and leisure markets to and within South Africa. With the expected surge in demand for air travel during the FIFA tournaments, the aviation sector is well on track to accommodate the requirements of both local and travellers and visitors from abroad.

Intercontinental Flights

All continents have direct flights to Johannesburg, the hosting centre of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, provided by over 50 international airlines, from approximately 50 cities worldwide. There are also many direct flights to Cape Town, one of the main tourism centres. The warm maritime city of Durban also has a main international airport operating intercontinental flights. Long haul air travel to South Africa is convenient, with the added advantage of sharing the same time zone as much of Europe.

African Continent

South Africa is the main hub of African air travel with around 800 flights per week into and out of the country, and direct connections to 15 other African countries.

South Africa's Airports

South Africa has three major international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. All 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup host cities have an airport close by. All major airports in the country have had (or are undergoing) significant infrastructure expansions in a response to continuous volume growth, especially to meet the expected traffic volumes during the 2010 FIFA World CupTM events. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is the operator of 10 of the country’s busiest airports including the three main international airports and handles over 18 million departing passengers annually and 200 000 aircraft landings. ACSA is completing a R6 billion (€0.55bn) airport-infrastructure expansion programme.

Domestic Air Network

South Africa has three major international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. All 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup host cities have an airport close by. All major airports in the country have had (or are undergoing) significant infrastructure expansions in a response to continuous volume growth, especially to meet the expected traffic volumes during the 2010 FIFA World CupTM events. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is the operator of 10 of the country’s busiest airports including the three main international airports and handles over 18 million departing passengers annually and 200 000 aircraft landings. ACSA is completing a R6 billion (€0.55bn) airport-infrastructure expansion programme.

Meeting 2010 FIFA World CupTM Demands

The aviation sector is jointly planning its response through an active coordination process based on detailed forecast of demand to ensure it is prepared and has the capacity to cater for the event. Air services will be increased and amended in line with World Cup demands. During the busiest periods of the tournaments many regular travellers will make way for spectators. The intention will be to retain a reduced base schedule to all network destinations but to enhance domestic air services on specific routes on particular routes in line with spectator demands. Following this strategy the demand for domestic air travel during the World Cup will be met. To allow a focus on the key demand routes, spectators will be encouraged to use land base travel to reach the smaller venue cities of Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Polokwane and Rustenburg where airport capacity becomes a limiting factor. Spectators are encouraged to make their flight reservation bookings early to secure their required travel. Booking can usually be made one year in advance on domestic routes.