The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) is brand new and only came into operation in late 2002. Incredible tourism growth in South Africa since the end of Apartheid in 1994 has fuelled a host of tourism infrastructure developments over the last decade. The development of KMIA represents one of the larger privately owned and funded developments. In contrast to South Africa's other international airports KMIA is not an ACSA* owned or managed airport.

Until KMIA's arrival Mpumalanga had no international airport and the small Skukuza Airport in the Kruger National Park was struggling to cope with vastly increased traffic. Conservationists were also very uncomfortable with the ecological influence this exerted on a very important conservation area. With the arrival of KMIA, Skukuza Airport has been virtually closed down and almost all air traffic now goes to the former (with the exception of private charter flights, which often goes directly to private game reserve landing strips).

KMIA acts as a transport hub for Mpumalanga and as step-off point, amongst others, for scheduled flights from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg Airports to the Kruger National Park. The airport is located 22km from Nelspruit, 40km from the nearest Kruger National Park entrance gate (Numbi), 63km from Malelane Gate and 82km from Kruger Gate. Initiatives are under way for regular direct charter flights from Europe to KMIA but has not yet been finalised.

The airport has car rental offices for Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Imperial and National. Other facilities include: a kiosk with light snacks, a curios shop, a jewellery shop, a restaurant, a coffee bar and a cigar lounge. Wheelchair assistance is available upon request. The terminal building is easily accessible for wheelchairs and other disabilities. Toilet facilities for the disabled are also available.