Most people who are familiar with traveling to Johannesburg and South Africa are familiar with OR Tambo International Airport (JNB). While it is the largest and busiest, it is not the only international airport in Johannesburg. About 54 km from OR Tambo sits Lanseria International Airport (HLA).
The airport was the brainchild of two South African pilots who had the idea of building the busiest airport in the country. A suitable area was chosen, but the residents were not up for having aircraft taking off and landing by the borders of their peaceful farming land. They even formed a committee and protested against the development.
Despite the pushback, the Minister of Planning at the time confirmed the need for a new airport in 1974. Two years later, Lanseria International Airport opened its doors to privately operated aircraft. Today, it provides a wide range of services and welcomes up to seven daily commercial flights. Let us look at five facts you might not know about Lanseria.
1- Lanseria is privately owned
Owned by a private consortium
The Government Employee Pension Fund privately owns Lanseria International Airport through the Public Investment Corporation, a BEE consortium that includes broad-based women empowerment company Nozala, and Pan African infrastructure development fund manager Harith. It is one of the few privately owned infrastructure assets in South Africa and the only private airport to offer commercial services.
Lanseria started as a grass strip airfield. The land to build Lanseria was bought by the Krugersdorp and Roodepoort Municipality, together with the Transvaal Per-Urban Board, and contracted to Lanseria Management Company on a 99-year lease since 1972. In 1990, the co-owners of Lanseria announced the sale of the airport. They issued tenders for ownership and management, and in 1991, the airport was sold to a consortium of private investors.
In 2013, the group of investors who had owned and developed Lanseria over the last 21 years sold 100% of their shares in the airport. The transaction saw the Public Investment Corporation, Nozala, and Harith become the new shareholders under a new company. For context, South Africa’s three major airports – Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, are owned and operated by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).
2- The only other international airport in Gauteng
Two international airports in Johannesburg
Although only accounting for 1.5% of South Africa’s total area, Gauteng Province is the wealthiest and most populated province in South Africa. It is considered the country’s financial hub and is home to major cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria. As such, it makes sense to have at least two international airports in the province.
Lanseria was built as Johannesburg’s alternative international airport. Today, it is still the only internationally accredited airport in the Gauteng Province. In 1977, the Department of Transport (DoT) made several changes regarding how private and charter aircraft were regulated. A government Gazette stated the following,
“Lanseria International Airport is to be the new terminal for all flights to and from South Africa by visiting aircraft registered in foreign countries and engaged in carrying passengers or cargo to South Africa for remuneration.”
This helped relieve pressure on the busy OR Tambo International, which was known as Jan Smuts Airport at the time. In 2001, Lanseria retained its international status, along with nine other South African airports. It continues to receive charter and private flights from various parts of the world.
3- Daily flights to Durban and Cape Town
Flights offered by FlySafair
Cape Town International (CPT) and Durban King Shaka (DUR) are the two most popular destinations from Johannesburg. While most flights originate at OR Tambo, Lanseria also has daily departures to these cities. However, FlySafair is the only carrier that has regular commercial flights from Lanseria.
According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, the low-cost carrier has an average of 55 weekly flights, providing 10,395 seats. It has 37 weekly flights scheduled from Lanseria to Cape Town, with up to seven daily operations on Fridays and Sundays. Lanseria-Durban has 18 weekly flights, with up to four daily services on Fridays and Sundays.
Lanseria-Cape Town is currently the eighth-busiest domestic commercial route from the city of Johannesburg. In 2017, just over 1.9 million passengers passed through Lanseria. At the time, the airport was served by the following carriers:
- Kulula: Since 2006
- Mango Airlines: Since 2010
- FlySafair: Since 2016
4- Popular private aviation hub
Various Fixed Base Operations
In addition to the regular commercial flights, Lanseria International also has the capacity to handle various Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) on site. The airport is open 24/7, providing private customers with numerous travel options. The companies based at Lanseria provide cargo services, as well as charter flights for various clients, including presidential, diplomatic, and corporate jet charters, incentive travel, lodge transfers, and scenic flights. Operators include:
- National Airways Corporation (NAC)
- Safe Fly Cargo
- ExecuJet
- MH Aviation Services
- Spectrem Air
- Zenith Air
Throughout its history, the airport has welcomed many dignitaries and celebrities. Interestingly, when South Africa’s former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela was released from prison in May 1990, he was flown to Lanseria International Airport. This was the first time he set foot on Gauteng soil after a very long time.
5- The airport has a Bidvest and a Slow lounge
Comfortable lounges for commercial passengers
When flying out of OR Tambo, the Bidvest and Slow lounges are among the best lounges that are not exclusive to premium passengers. While much smaller than Johannesburg’s main airport, Lanseria’s upgraded terminal building boasts a spacious area for passenger comfort. It has a few restaurants and shops, as well as a Bidvest and Slow lounge.
The Bidvest Lounge is open to customers traveling in any class. The online rate is $15 (R270), valid for two hours before departure. The walk-in rate is $16 (R300), valid for two hours before departure. An early check-in will cost you $2 (R38) every 15 minutes. Children under the age of two gain free entry.
The Slow Lounge, on the other hand, is exclusive to FNB Premier, Private Clients, Private Wealth, Business Platinum, Business Black, and RMB Private Bank. However, operators like ExecuJet also have private lounges at Lanseria for their customers.
Published in simpleflying
