Why OR Tambo’s Overseas Arrivals Are Dropping And What It Means For Gauteng

OR Tambo International Airport, once the undisputed gateway to South Africa, is losing some of its shine. New data shows that overseas arrivals in the first seven months of 2025 reached only 79% of pre-pandemic levels and experts say it’s not just about recovery lag, but a deep structural change in how travellers enter the country.

The Three-Hub Shift Redefining Travel To South Africa

According to Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the decline at Johannesburg’s main airport has been driven by the country’s transition to a “three-hub” aviation model. With Cape Town and Durban now offering direct international connections, travellers are choosing to land closer to their actual destinations rather than funnelling through Gauteng.

“Airlines can now fly directly to all three cities, allowing travellers to enter the country closer to their actual destination,” said ACSA Group Spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe. “This isn’t a diversion from Gauteng, but a reflection of true arrival points.”

Before the pandemic, South African Airways (SAA) was the backbone of OR Tambo’s international traffic, handling more than 40% of South Africa’s total long-haul market. But years of financial trouble and route cuts have left a significant void that international airlines haven’t fully filled.

The Policy Bottleneck Slowing Down JNB’s Recovery

Dijoe pointed to another challenge: South Africa’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement system. The 50-50 capacity split, designed to protect local aviation interests, is now limiting growth. This outdated approach means fewer flights, longer negotiations, and missed opportunities to attract new routes into OR Tambo.

Simply put, while the world’s skies are opening up again, Gauteng’s gateway remains partly grounded by policy.

Cape Town’s Success Shows What’s Possible

If there’s one city showing what coordinated strategy can achieve, it’s Cape Town. The Mother City’s international arrivals have bounced back to 121% of 2019 levels, driven by the Wesgro-led Cape Town Air Access initiative. Since its launch in 2015, the project has secured more than 20 new international routes and boosted flight frequencies across existing ones.

“The success underscores what can be achieved when government, airport operators and the private sector align behind a clear destination strategy,” Dijoe said.

That success story has turned Cape Town into one of the most connected secondary cities in Africa something Gauteng hopes to emulate.

Gauteng’s Answer: The Air Access Network

To re-establish OR Tambo’s dominance, Gauteng launched its own version of Cape Town’s project in 2021 the Gauteng Air Access Network (GAAN). The initiative aims to attract airlines, expand route development, and reposition the province as a must-visit destination for business and leisure travellers alike.

But progress has been slow. Dijoe believes that with better funding, stronger leadership, and private-sector buy-in, GAAN could help OR Tambo reclaim its spot as Africa’s top hub.

“Gauteng remains South Africa’s economic powerhouse,” he said. “With the right focus and partnerships, OR Tambo can reassert its role as the continent’s most connected hub.”

Beyond The Runways: Selling Gauteng To The World

ACSA also argues that Gauteng’s tourism product itself has evolved it just needs better storytelling. The province has invested in cultural and urban regeneration projects such as Maboneng, Newtown, Constitution Hill, Rosebank, and Freedom Park, along with the ambitious Waterfall City development, described as one of the most significant in two decades.

“Clearly defining and positioning the Gauteng region’s product offering in the global market through targeted marketing is essential,” said Dijoe. “With smart investments in infrastructure and tourism product development, we can reignite demand for air travel.”

For now, OR Tambo remains a powerhouse but one facing stiffer competition from within South Africa’s own borders. If Gauteng can harness its strengths, align its strategy, and tell its story more boldly, the world’s travellers may once again choose to begin their South African journeys in Johannesburg.

{Source:Tourism Update}

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