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Rebranding Ahead: Lanseria Airport Name Change Proposed by Joburg Mayor

Published

4 months ago

May 13, 2025

taryn

Lanseria International Airport could soon have a new name, as Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero unveiled plans to rebrand the city’s privately owned airport. The move aims to boost the airport’s visibility and strengthen its identity as a key part of Johannesburg’s infrastructure.

During the State of the City address debate on 8 May 2025, Morero said the name change would support broader efforts to enhance the airport’s brand and align it more closely with the city’s image.

Lanseria, the only privately-owned international airport in South Africa, is currently undergoing major upgrades to attract more traffic and improve services. These include a new fuel depot, air traffic control tower, expanded taxiways, and improved maintenance facilities.

Originally established in 1972, the airport has played a vital role in South African aviation and famously received Nelson Mandela following his release from prison in 1990.

According to Daily Investor, the airport’s ownership is also shifting. Private equity firm Harith is in the process of acquiring full control by buying out its partners in the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund.

Exiting investors include the Government Employees Pension Fund, Absa, and Old Mutual, Daily Investor reported.

The announcement has sparked strong reactions online, with social media users debating whether the name change is necessary or just symbolic.

Executive Mayor Dada Morero and his ANC cadres they are dunderheads, renaming Lanseria international Airport is not what we are looking for as South Africans. We’re still waiting for Lanseria Smart City project. pic.twitter.com/s59db29OQd

— dumsani ? (@dumsvni) May 12, 2025

Lanseria is trending in South Africa because netizens have expressed hilarity and irritation towards City of Johannesburg’s Mayor Dada Morero’s revelation of a plan to rename The Lanseria International Airport.

The Mayor has been slammed for the audacity to want to rename a… pic.twitter.com/w9phDbByCV

— Why It Is Trending (@trendingblog247) May 10, 2025

Renaming what you never built is not service delivery @DadaMorero
Build yours and name them
Leave Lanseria international airport the way it is #VoetsekANC https://t.co/sQzSdFgCzW pic.twitter.com/X7Qnn1ZAYj

— voetsek ANC and DA (@mokgatjane_w) May 10, 2025