A busy morning at OR Tambo International Airport usually begins long before sunrise. Departure boards flicker to life, boarding calls echo through the terminals, and aircraft queue on the taxiways, waiting for their turn to take off. For many travellers, however, those queues are becoming a familiar part of the journey.

South Africa’s busiest airport is facing ongoing operational pressure, with airlines increasingly adjusting their schedules to accommodate air traffic control capacity. While flights continue to operate safely, the changes are affecting everything from departure times to airline planning, particularly on the country’s busiest domestic routes.

Why OR Tambo is experiencing delays

According to South Africa’s largest domestic airline, FlySafair, restrictions linked to runway capacity and air traffic management have become one of its biggest operational challenges.

Rather than cancelling planned services, the airline says it now has to build its schedules around available air traffic capacity. That means flights cannot always be timed as efficiently as airlines would prefer, especially during peak travel periods.

For passengers, the result may be longer waits on the ground before take-off and occasional delays arriving or departing from Johannesburg.

A challenge that has been building

South Africa’s aviation industry has spent the past two years working through a shortage of qualified air traffic controllers alongside delays in maintaining instrument flight procedures. These procedures allow aircraft to safely navigate airports during poor weather or low visibility.

When hundreds of these procedures expired or were temporarily suspended last year, flight disruptions became more common, particularly during winter weather conditions.

In response, government appointed an intervention team to assess the situation. Recruitment efforts are underway, while upgrades to communication systems and navigation infrastructure continue. Authorities have also prioritised restoring procedures at the country’s busiest airports, including OR Tambo.

Safety remains the priority

Although the operational pressures have attracted attention across the aviation sector, both airlines and Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) stress that safety standards remain unchanged.

ATNS says flight schedules must reflect operational realities rather than purely commercial considerations. By carefully managing aircraft movements, controllers can reduce unnecessary risk while maintaining an orderly flow of traffic through busy airspace.

For travellers, this means that occasional delays are often the result of precautionary measures designed to ensure every flight operates safely.

What travellers can do before flying

While airlines continue adapting to the current operating environment, passengers can take a few simple steps to make their journeys less stressful.

Check your flight before leaving home

Departure times can change throughout the day, particularly during busy travel periods. Checking your airline’s website or mobile app before heading to the airport can help you stay informed of any updates.

Allow extra time at the airport

If you’re flying through OR Tambo, arriving a little earlier than usual can help reduce unnecessary stress, especially if queues develop or departure times shift.

Be flexible where possible

Flights outside peak morning and evening travel periods may experience fewer operational pressures. If your schedule allows, a little flexibility can make for a smoother journey.

Domestic airfare remains competitive

Despite the operational challenges, flying between Johannesburg and Cape Town remains relatively affordable.

Current fares on major domestic airlines continue to offer travellers a range of options, with return trips generally available for under R2,500, depending on the airline, travel dates and booking time. Weekend flights often command higher prices, while weekday departures typically provide better value.

As always, booking early offers the best chance of securing lower fares.

Looking ahead

OR Tambo remains the country’s busiest aviation gateway and an essential hub connecting South Africa with domestic, regional and international destinations. As investment continues in air traffic systems and staffing, the aviation industry hopes to restore greater flexibility to airline schedules while maintaining the country’s strong safety record.

For now, travellers should expect that a little extra patience may be part of the journey. The good news is that the skies remain open, flights continue to operate, and improvements are already underway to keep South Africa moving.

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