Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) has emerged as a significant player in the global air travel landscape, becoming the only airport in Africa to offer regularly scheduled non-stop passenger flights to all six inhabited continents. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the transformation of air travel in Africa, which has historically been challenged by limited routes, high fares, and inadequate airport infrastructure.

The airport's strategic location and investments in improving infrastructure have enabled it to become the busiest airport in sub-Saharan Africa, serving as a primary hub connecting travelers to various destinations worldwide. According to OAG's Global Airline Schedules Data for 2024, the airport managed an impressive 12,272,780 passengers in 2024, solidifying its position as a key player in the region.

Johannesburg plays a crucial role as a connecting hub for passengers traveling to Southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, and others. The Johannesburg-Harare route is currently the busiest international connection, with up to 77 weekly flights. The airport also hosts all major South African airlines and welcomes over 30 international carriers, with the busiest routes being domestic, including nearly 300 weekly flights to Cape Town and around 200 to Durban.

In terms of international connections, the Dubai-Johannesburg route stands out as the busiest from the Asia and Middle-East region, with up to 21 weekly flights in each direction. Emirates operates double daily Airbus A380 flights, along with a daily Boeing 777 service to Johannesburg. The longest non-stop route from the airport is from Shenzhen, measuring up to 5,766 NM (10,678 km).

Johannesburg has historically been connected to key European cities, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Istanbul, Paris, and London. As of January 2025, the London Heathrow-OR Tambo route is the busiest, with up to 19 weekly flights each way.

In the North American market, flights between Johannesburg and North America are limited to two non-stop routes, operated by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. These carriers also include Cape Town as part of their broader South African network. The Atlanta-Johannesburg route is the longest non-stop flight to Africa, covering a distance of 7,333 NM (13,581 km), while the Newark-Johannesburg route is slightly shorter at 6,943 NM (12,858 km).

When it comes to South America, there are currently only two routes between South Africa and South America: Sao Paulo-Cape Town and Sao Paulo-Johannesburg. Finally, Johannesburg and Mauritius are the only two African airports with non-stop flights from Australia/Oceania, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company.

The significance of Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport cannot be overstated. As air travel in and out of Africa continues to evolve, this airport is poised to play an increasingly important role in connecting the continent to the rest of the world. Its strategic location, combined with investments in infrastructure and partnerships with major airlines, make it an essential hub for passengers traveling to and from Africa.

As the African economy continues to grow, the importance of efficient air travel cannot be overstated. Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport is at the forefront of this transformation, offering a gateway to the world for passengers from Africa and beyond.