There are ten airports in South Africa six of which are international. They are
- O.R Tambo International (Johannesburg)
- Cape Town International
- King Shaka International (Durban)
- Bram Fischer International (Bloemfontein)
- Port Elizabeth International
- Upington International
- East London International
- George Airport
- Kimberly Airport
- Lanseria Airport (Johannesburg)
While Muslims make up around less than 3% of the South African population, Salaah and Halaal facilities can be found almost everywhere. Five out of nine airports have prayer rooms (jamaat khana / musallah) with seperate rooms for male and female.
Prayer rooms facilities
The prayer rooms are generally small but more than sufficient and almost never reaches its full capacity except during the Hajj period. There are ablution facilities at the airports that have prayers rooms however there are no toilets so you would need to use the airport toilets if required.
None of the prayer rooms have permanant Imams but an Imam is appointed from nearby towns to lead the Jumua Salaah on friday at the O.R Tambo airport in Johannesburg and King Shaka in Durban (12:40 Jamaat)
Although the primary purpose of the prayer room is to pray it also serves as a convenient place to read quran or take a break from the rush while waiting for your flight or connecting flight.
South African airports with prayer facilities
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O.R Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
Location: There are two Muslim Prayer Rooms in the terminal building. There is both a male and female Muslim Prayer Room, down the escalators from the main exit of Terminal A arrivals, on Basement Level 1, going towards the Parkade 2 (South).There is a second male Muslim Prayer Room, on the third floor of the Lower Roof Offices, North Wing. It’s up a flight of stairs near Wandi’s Restaurant at the northern end of the terminal.
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Lanseria Airport (Johannesburg)
Location: The prayer facility is located on the first floor of the new parkade and is only open between 5am – 11pm
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Cape Town International Airport
Location: Next to the airport police station
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King Shaka International (Durban) Airport
Location: On the first floor above the departure terminal
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Gqeberha Internation Airport
Location: 1st floor, above the departure terminal, opposite Wimpy
International travel to South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic
While the prayer facilities are open, strict Covid-19 regulation standard have been set where traveller will need to be screened, sanitized and practise social distancing with a maximum of 50% capacity.
As of September 2020 the only two Airports that are open to receiving international flights or international departures are O.R Tambo International (Johannesburg) and King Shaka International (Durban).
Update: October 2020
All international airports are currently open but since South Africa is currently in its second wave of Covid-19, travel conditions could change so we advise that you contact the the airliners or airport before making a flight reservation.
As part of the mandatory screening process travellers will need to complete the Covid-19 questionaire. This can be done at the airport or to save time you may download the forms and complete them at home.
Passengers need to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your departure time. This applies to local travel as well.
See updated Covid-19 information on South African airports website
