O.R. Tambo International ranks second in terms of international passenger movements in Africa (after Cairo), but ranks first in terms of total passenger movements, international airfreight volumes and air traffic movements.

O.R. Tambo International easily overshadows airports in other African countries in terms of passenger numbers, airfreight activities, air traffic movements and the number of international airlines, general aviation operators and dedicated cargo flights operating into and out of the airport.

The airport also has the largest range of technical support services in South Africa. These factors confirm its hub status, not only in South Africa but also in the Southern Africa region.

O.R. Tambo International Airport remains the main airfreight hub in the country with more than 90% of the value of international airfreight in and out of South Africa, and will, in all likelihood, retain this position into the foreseeable future, as most international airfreight is carried as belly cargo in scheduled international air transport services.

In a recent study, the airport recorded $37 million worth of freight imports and exports. The study found that the Airports Company South Africa's three main airports (Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg) collectively contributed an estimated $25.4 million to the South African GDP with O.R. Tambo International Airport's share equating to about 55% of this total. The largest beneficiary of this impact (49%) is the transport, storage and communication sector followed by the trade and accommodation sector at 26%.

The combined employment impact of the three airports is an estimated 395,936 employment opportunities, with O.R. Tambo International leading with a 57.9% contribution. This is significant bearing in mind that only three airports have such a major impact on employment in the country.

Put differently, the combined direct and indirect employment effect of the three airports is substantial, from approximately 33,726 direct, on-airport employment opportunities, to 395,936 indirect employment opportunities, implying a multiplier of 11.7 - so for every direct employment opportunity at any one of the airports, another 11.7 jobs are created in the economies of the associated provinces.
 
As passenger and cargo needs grow, spending on the expansion of O.R. Tambo's infrastructural capacities is allowing it to fulfil its role as a world-class hub.

The trade and accommodation sector (39%) is the largest benefactor of production opportunities created by passenger spending, followed by the manufacturing sector (38%).

Boasting a newly expanded and remodelled terminal, a soon to be opened rail link and a leading position as a passenger and cargo hub - O.R. Tambo is well on track to pursue its airport city vision.