Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport continues to be one of the busiest air travel hubs in the Middle East and Africa, securing the seventh position in 2024, according to the latest report from aviation analytics firm OAG. The ranking is based on one-way airline capacity, covering both domestic and international routes.
OR Tambo, a key gateway to South Africa and the wider African continent, processed an estimated 12.2 million seats in 2024. This figure marks a 4% increase from 2023, signaling a positive recovery in passenger traffic. However, it remains 18% below pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019. Despite the challenges that the global aviation sector has faced in recent years, OR Tambo continues to reinforce its role as a vital link between Africa and the rest of the world.
Leading the regional rankings is Dubai International Airport, which handled 60.2 million seats in 2024, maintaining its position as the busiest airport in the Middle East and Africa. It also secured the second position in the global rankings. The second-busiest airport in the region was Doha’s Hamad International Airport, with 32.4 million seats, followed by Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, which processed 29.7 million seats.
The complete ranking of the ten busiest airports in the Middle East and Africa is as follows:
- Dubai International Airport – 60.2 million seats
- Doha Hamad International Airport – 32.4 million seats
- Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport – 29.7 million seats
- Riyadh King Khalid International Airport – 23.2 million seats
- Cairo International Airport – 18.7 million seats
- Zayed International Airport (formerly Abu Dhabi International) – 17.1 million seats
- Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport – 12.2 million seats
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport – 12 million seats
- Kuwait International Airport – 10.9 million seats
- Sharjah International Airport – 9.1 million seats
These figures highlight the dominance of Middle Eastern airports, which continue to serve as crucial global transit hubs, particularly for long-haul travel between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
As Africa’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, OR Tambo plays a critical role in linking South Africa with major global destinations. It serves as the primary hub for South African Airways (SAA) and several regional carriers, supporting both tourism and business travel.
The airport’s recovery post-pandemic has been driven by increased international travel demand and expanded route offerings by various airlines. However, challenges such as fluctuating fuel prices, operational costs, and evolving regulatory requirements continue to shape the airport’s growth trajectory.
On a global scale, four of the top ten busiest airports were located in the United States. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport retained its title as the busiest airport in the world, processing 62.7 million seats in 2024. The full ranking of the world’s top ten airports is as follows:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (USA) – 62.7 million seats
- Dubai International Airport (UAE) – 60.2 million seats
- Tokyo Haneda International Airport (Japan) – 55.2 million seats
- London Heathrow Airport (UK) – 51.55 million seats
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (USA) – 51.51 million seats
- Denver International Airport (USA) – 49.2 million seats
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (China) – 48.8 million seats
- Istanbul Airport (Turkey) – 48.51 million seats
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (China) – 48.5 million seats
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (USA) – 46.9 million seats
Despite its strong ranking, OR Tambo faces stiff competition from other African airports aiming to increase their market share. With airlines expanding their routes and new infrastructure projects in development, Johannesburg’s airport must continue to innovate and enhance passenger experiences to maintain its status as the region’s leading aviation hub.
Government and private sector investments in South Africa’s aviation industry, including upgrades in airport facilities, streamlined operations, and enhanced connectivity, will be crucial for OR Tambo’s sustained growth. As global travel trends continue to evolve, the airport’s ability to adapt to industry demands will determine its position in future rankings.
