O.R. Tambo International Airport came into being in 1952 replacing the Palmietfontein International Airport of Johannesburg. Until before O.R. Tambo International Airport, Palmietfontein International Airport served as the domestic as well as international airport of the city of Johannesburg. Since its beginning, the airport seems to have been highly affected by political scenario of South Africa.In 1952, the new airport was named Jan Smuts International Airport. Field Marshal Jan Smuts was a British and South African Commonwealth Statesman who played an important part trying to put racism in South Africa to an end. It wasn’t until the 1980s that Apartheid period led many countries to end trade with South Africa and forbid South African Airways to fly over their territories. By the end of 1980s, ended the Apartheid era, and South Africa gained back healthy relationships with other African countries. It was then that the airports in South Africa were renamed and this time, not after the names of any politicians. Hence, the airport became Johannesburg International Airport. This airport became Africa’s busiest airport in 1996 and with the regulation of airport naming policy, was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2006. Oliver Reginald Tambo was a South African leader who was rated 31st amongst 100 Great South Africans in 2004.O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) is one of the world’s most renowned airports and hence ranked amongst World’s 100 Busiest Airports. It is the second busiest airport, in Africa and Middle East, after Dubai Airport. The air traffic and passengers to the airport are increasing year by year with a 12.1% increase in 2007. The number of passengers is expected to reach over 21 million in 2010. Africa is one of the major tourist destinations and visited by many tourists every year. Searches for affordable tickets to the continent are increasing annually. Most of the cheap flights to Africa end up in ORTIA. This airport has the honor of being the first African host of Airbus A380 in 2006 and de Havilland Comet in 1952. Also, the prestigious airport was host to the test flights of concord in the 1970s.There are two runways at the airport with world class facilities, the western runway being the world’s longest airport runway. The airport comprises of six terminals, two of these are for international passengers, two for domestic passengers and the rest are transit terminals. For FIFA 2010, the airport is being largely re-constructed with an amount worth billions of Rand. The transit terminal has been demolished to construct a new Central Terminal based on three levels. Level 1 will manage arrivals and level 3 will manage departures. Level 2 would be for commercial activities including transportation. The terminal is being constructed so as be able to accommodate the super luxury Airbus A380. This terminal will also link international and domestic terminals. International Pier will be a double storey construction to further ease, international arrivals and departures. It will compose 9 airside contacts, which will be Airbus A380 friendly. Also the existing duty-free mall will be extended into this pier. Another terminal between the two runways will further provide domestic and international check-in facilities, contact stands, shops and lounges.Most airlines from around the globe are already offering cheap flights to Johannesburg and the air traffic is expected to increase during FIFA 2010. The world class airport is all set to handle the upcoming traffic equally as efficiently as it has been handling the flights to Johannesburg or cheap flights to Africa bringing in millions of tourists for over the years.