Flying has become expensive over the years, but there are ways to cut down on the costs of flying in South Africa. When it comes to flying into a major city, it should be worth looking into one of the smaller airports are they may have cheaper flights. This is not always the case, but there is really no harm in checking.
In South Africa, there are numerous cities with its own airport, but not all of them have multiple airport options. Here we look at some of the airports to use while traveling to South Africa.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city and main hub of South Africa, so you can expect to find two airports to choose from. The primary airport (and the busiest in South Africa) is O.R Tambo International Airport. Domestic airlines serving O.R Tambo include South Africa express and South African Airlink, while international airlines include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
The second airport in Johannesburg is Lanseria Airport. This airport receives far less traffic than O.R Tambo, but is a good option if you are flying to or from somewhere in Africa. Airlines serving Lanseria include kulula, LAM Mozambique Airlines and Norse Air.
Cape Town
Cape Town International Airport is the second busiest airport in South Africa, and a hub for South African Airways. Domestic airlines serving Cape Town International include South African Express, South African Airlink and Comair, while international airlines include Qatar Airways, flights/british-airways/ British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Durban
Conveniently named Durban International Airport, this airport situated in Durban is the third busiest in South Africa, but receives far less traffic than O.R Tambo and Cape Town International Airport. Airlines serving Durban International Airport include South African Express, South African Airlink, Comair, kulula, 1Time, Mango, British Airways, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic.
Nelspruit
Nelspruit’s Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport will not be your entry point into South Africa, but it is the gateway to the world famous Kruger National Park. Airlines serving Nelspruit include Airlink Airlines, Interlink Airlines and Federal Air.
Port Elizabeth
The coastal city of Port Elizabeth has its own small airport aptly named Port Elizabeth Airport. Airlines serving this airport include 1Time, Airlink Airlines, kulula, South African Airways, South African Express and Comair.
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein has a small airport named Bloemfontein Airport and has a grand total of three airlines serving it, namely South African Express, South African Airlink and Mango.
Polokwane
Polokwane International Airport, or Pietersburg International Airport, is one in the same airport situated in Polokwane (also known as Pietersburg). The airport also goes by the name Gateway Airport. The only airline serving this airport is South African Airlink.
Rustenburg
Pilanesburg International Airport in Rustenburg is situated in the Pilanesburg region, and is the gateway to the famous Sun City. Airlines serving Pilanesburg include Jet Air, Rossair, Air 2000, SA Historical Flights and Progress Air.
Pretoria
Pretoria does not have an airport of its own, with the closest airports situated in Johannesburg.
Author bio
This article was written for Flightsite and offers tips on flying to South Africa.