Quickies
...topical bits and pieces
Southern & Eastern Africa

- Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) -

Overview
Johannesburg International Airport (JIA), previously known as Jan Smuts Airport, is the air transport hub of Southern Africa, catering for over 12 million passengers each year (2002 figures). In 2003 it served 13.5 million passengers. It is the busiest airport in Africa and one of the 100 busiest in the world (www.airlinerworld.com). More than 18 000 people are employed by various companies at JIA.

The airport plays a vital role in the Johannesburg and Gauteng Province economies and boasts an impressive infrastructure that has been expanded by thousands of square metres from its modest origins. JIA hub hosts 45 airlines from all five continents. The Airport plays an important role in serving the air transport needs of Africa as a whole.

High & dry
JIA is regarded as a "high & dry" or "hot & high" airport. Not surprising if you realise that it lies ±1500m above sea-level. It means that the air is thin and dry, which has definite implications for aircraft, especially really big and heavy ones... The increased energy requirements for take-off in thin air results in Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-600 flights to New York, for example, having to make a stop enroute to take on extra fuel - typically at Lagos, Dakar or Ilha do Sal.

However, flying in the opposite direction (New York to JIA), is a non-stop 14-hour flight because of increased performance of aircraft at sea level (thicker air). The Johannesburg to New York flight is the third-longest commercial flight in the world, after Singapore to Los Angeles and New York to Hong Kong.

Runways
JIA has two runways in use, each ±3.5km long. They lie parallel to each other and to the Airport. Arriving aircraft normally approach from the south and use the runway furthest from the airport, while departing aircraft take-off to the north using the closest runway. Obviously a change in prevailing wind conditions will necessitate other arrangements.

The Airport is also part of an interesting new club. Airbus has indicated that its huge new triple deck A380 aircraft, which starts flying in 2005, can only land at a limited number of airports because of increased runway requirements (length and width) - Johannesburg International being one of a few airports of which the runways already meet the requirements. The very busy long-haul Johannesburg to London route is being touted as one of the first where the A380 may be put in use. It may very well be that Virgin Atlantic takes the honours as it was one of the first airlines to order the new jumbo.

Expansion

Part of the upgraded Domestic Terminal completed in 2003.

Further expansion to buildings and terminals is ongoing. The most recently completed project was a brand new Domestic Departures and Arrivals Terminal completed in early 2003. Planned developments include a new transit terminal between the domestic and international terminals. The envisaged transit terminal will also house a Gautrain station. The latter is a new high-speed train that will link JIA, central Johannesburg, Sandton, central Pretoria and Hatfield. It will be the first train of its kind in Africa and represents a revolution in South African transport infrastructure. The awarding of the hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup to South Africa has meant that construction of the Gautrain rail link has been moved forward and given priority status by the Gauteng Government.

Location, airport transfers, etc.
JIA is located about a 40-minute drive from the Johannesburg's northern suburbs (e.g. Sandton & Rosebank). Africa Deluxe Tours can arrange either land or helicopter transfers for our clients between their place of residence and Johannesburg International Airport. Clients who purchase tours from us are provided with extensive pre-tour documentation. Amongst other things it includes a detailed description of airport facilities, explanation of VAT reclaiming process, directions to the airport for self-drive clients, recommendations for restaurants, bookshops, etc.

(Sources: ACSA & Wikipedia.org - see links below)

(Also see: South Africa's international airports & South Africa's domestic airports)