Commercial and private planes can easily be spotted on the runway a few meters away from their open air viewing deck. It all began when In 1974 the dream became a reality and work began to build Johannesburg’s alternative International Airport, with a mere investment of R 2,7 Million. The residents of the Area were not too excited about the prospect of getting a noisy airport on the boarders of their peaceful Farming land! They formed a committee and protested against the development, which regularly made front page news. However, the Minister of Planning, Mr J.J. Loots confirmed the need for a new Airport on 6 June 1972, and said the new facility would rival the only other large Airport at the time, 'Jan Smuts International'. Just two years later, the Airport opened it's doors to privately operated aircraft.
In 1975 Lanseria International Airport was chosen to host Air Africa International '75 - a major event on the International aerospace calendar and a milestone in South African aviation History. For the first time, South African buyers were afforded the opportunity of being able to select the latest International Aircraft and electronic equipment. Air demonstrations that were originally produced for air shows in Farnborough and Paris, now delighted thousands of spectators at Lanseria!
The success of the first air show spurred on another in 1977. More than R 100 Million rand worth of aircraft and equipment was on display at the Aviation Africa Show in October that year. More International air shows followed in 1979 and 1981 and the exhibitors and crowds grew every Year.
Lanseria was also Home to 4 Impala Squadron and 41 Reconnaissance Squadron of the South African Air Force from May 1979 until their Base was closed in 1991.
In 1977, The Department of Transport published several changes in regulations governing private and charter aircraft. “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”, the Gazette stated. The move took much needed pressure off the busy Jan Smuts Airport, so that it could “focus on major passenger flights.”

In 1990, Lanseria's co-owners, the Roodepoort and Krugersdorp Municipalities and the Transvaal Administrator, announced that the Airport was to be sold. Tenders for the ownership and management of the Airport were issued and the tender was awarded to a consortium of private investors in 1991.
During 1991 Lanseria International Airport handled more than 108 000 aircraft movements and catered for more than 250 000 passengers. Many private and charter companies operated from Lanseria International Airport, using the Airports 24 Hour, customs service and the many other facilities catering for pilots and passengers from all over the World!
When former President, Nelson Mandela, was released from prison in May 1990, he was flown to Johannesburg and the first time he set foot on Gauteng soil after such a long time, this was onto the tarmac, at Lanseria International Airport. The Airport continues to be the first choice to welcome International guests, Presidents and superstars into our Country.
By 1999, the continued growth was evident in the number of airline operators, passengers and freight volume utilizing Lanseria Airport. The 27-year old Terminal Building was no longer able to meet this demand and an expansion programme started. In 2002 a larger Main Terminal Building was completed along with an upgrade of all runways and taxiways. In 2003 about 160 000 passengers passed through it’s Terminal.
In 2004 both runways and taxiways were lengthened and widened to accommodate bigger aircraft like the Boeing 757-300 and Airbus 319 aircraft. Ms Wrenelle Stander, Director-General of Transport opened the airports extensions.
In May 2010 it once again became necessary to expand the Terminal Building. The Domestic Departure Lounge area was revamped to accommodate the overwhelming demand for scheduled flights to and from Durban and Cape Town. New Shops and Restaurants were also added, along with more Parking facilities, all of which have contributed to the continued success of the Airport!

The renaming ceremony of the Johannesburg international Airport to O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, October 27, 2006. Oliver Reginald Tambo was President of the African National Congress at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. The ceremony coincided with his birthday!
O.R. Tambo International Airport is Africa's biggest and busiest Airport, facilitating over 21 million passengers a Year. More than 50 percent of South Africa's air travelling passengers are facilitated through the Airport! It is ideally situated in Johannesburg South Africa's commercial and in the heart of Ekurhuleni Municipality, the heart of the city's industrial hub. The Airport boasts excellent Road infrastructure linking it to the National Road Network.
O. R. Tambo International Airport services airlines from five Continents across the World and plays a vital role in serving the Local and Regional air transport needs of South Africans, as well as International travelers. Not only is it a passenger hub, but has a cargo facilitation capacity of 650 000 tonnes per Annum.
The Airport also has a significant Retail sphere, which cuts across the Spectrum from high-end Duty-Free Stores, African Curio Shops and a wide range of food and beverage Retailers. O.R. Tambo International Airport also has a Hotel in the Area!

The Town of George lies halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on South Africa’s ever-popular Garden Route. George Airport now welcomes over 800,000 passengers each Year! With more and more visitors travelling to the Region's; Mountains, Beaches and Forests. The increasing popularity of the Area as a Tourist Destination is expected to boost traffic even further! But the Airport does not only play a central role in the Region's tourist Economy. It is also a National distribution hub for cargo such as: Flowers, Fish, Oysters, Herbs and Ferns.
George Airport has been awarded the South African Airport of the Year award six times, in the category of Airports who have under 2 Million passengers per year. This has attributed to its steady growth, coupled with an unwavering commitment to service and efficiency. In February 2016, a 200 square meter Solar Plant was launched at the Airport, further demonstrating our commitment to clean energy generation and sustainability!

Just South of Mthatha (Umtata) in the Eastern Cape on the rolling green Hills, of a cluster of Villages; their is one known as Qunu. It has recently been added to the map in South Africa because of its association with Madiba. Life in Qunu is quiet and peaceful. Goats frequent the streets of the Village, there is a single Fuel Station and one or two Supply Stores can be found.

Qunu is the Village where Nelson Mandela spent his childhood and it is close to Mthatha, where the Nelson Mandela Museum opened in February 2000.

All 18 Communities that fall under the Qunu Village have been affected positively by the recent attention. They now have access to water, electricity, Computer Labs, Libraries and pre-Schools. The people who deeply rooted in Xhosa Culture, are proud to have Madiba as the reason for the growth in interest and tourism. More and more tourists are adding Qunu to their itinerary and Ocean Liners are now anchoring in East London, are sending their passengers by road to Qunu, through the beautiful Great Kei River Pass.

In Qunu, the air is unpolluted and you can still see the Tembu and Xhosa women in their colourful and traditional dress with White Ochre tattooed faces to protect their skins from the sun and enhance their beauty. These same pastures are where Mandela herded cattle and sheep and where you can find his Retirement Home and the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre. People from all over the World are interested in visiting Qunu and the youth have plans to form a Tourism Organisation and to include Qunu in Hiking Trails in the Wild Coast area in order to encourage further tourism.

After his release, Mandela built a small House on his Family Plot, (said to be a replica of where he spent his last years in 'Victor Vester Prison'). He has subsequently built a bigger House where he stays when visiting Qunu!

The Community of Qunu, who are still largely reliant on subsistence farming and traditional ways of life, is very hospitable and only too happy to share experiences and stories with Tourists! The Eastern Cape produced a number of other heroes from the anti-Apartheid era - Walter Sisulu, Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko, Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo -  making this Area’s claim to be the ‘Real Africa’ an authentic one!

Grahamstown has a small Airport. There are two larger Airports located in close proximity to Grahamstown. The closest is the Port Elizabeth Airport which is 114 km from Grahamstown. The East London Airport is 123 km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the Airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.
What was once hailed as one of the best Aerodromes in the Country and favoured as a Training Hub for aviation Schools in the Eastern Cape!
The Airfield was built in the early 1930's to serve the Air Force.