Now in its fourth year, AFRAA’s Aviation Stakeholders Convention brings together operators and service providers to help build relationships and develop sustainable networks in supply chain management with a view to improve the aviation business support base on the continent of Africa.
Taking place at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg from Tuesday, April 28 to Thursday, April 30, this year’s theme is “Building and Sustaining Strong Partnerships”. We’ve compiled some vital information for anyone planning a trip to SA.
South African Immigration
Passengers
- A passport and visa are required.
- Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least 1 unused visa page for South African Immigration Service.
- Extension of stay for additional 90 days is possible but must be applied for at least 60 days prior to the expiry date of the visa or visa exempt period.
- Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay, as well as return/onward tickets to prove their next destination.
- Visitors without a return or onward ticket will be required to pay a refundable deposit in lieu of a ticket. Passengers failing to do so will be refused entry.
Note: Anyone who has visited Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone within the last 30 days will be refused entry.
Crew
- A passport is required.
- A General Declaration and Crew Members license or Crew Member Certificate are required for international scheduled flights.
- The same regulations as for normal passengers apply for charters and private flights.
- Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least 1 unused visa page for South African Immigration Service.
Note: Anyone who has visited Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone within the last 30 days will be refused entry.
South African Customs
Import
An import permit is required for all seeds, flowers, fruit, honey, margarine and vegetable oils.
All meat, processed meat, cheese and other dairy products must be declared. An import permit from the Director of Veterinary Services is required.
All medication, except for personal use, is subject to an import permit.
Free import:
- 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250 grams of tobacco
- 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of spirits or liquor
- 50 ml. of perfume and 250 ml. of eau de toilette
- Other goods up to the value of ZAR 5,000
Export
Free export of household consumables up to a value of ZAR 5,000.
Crew
Crew may not import alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or perfumes but may import other goods to the value of ZAR 700.
Baggage Clearance
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in South Africa.
The baggage of transit passengers with destinations outside of South Africa are exempt, provided the passenger doesn’t leave the transit area.
Airport Embarkation Tax
No airport tax is levied on passengers.
Currency
The local currency is South African Rand-ZAR
Passengers are allowed unlimited amount in foreign currencies and traveler’s checks: however, amounts over USD 10,000 must be declared on arrival.
Kruger coins will only be accepted with prior approval of the South African Reserve Bank.
There is no limit for travel between South Africa and Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland as these countries belong to the same common monetary area.
Health and Vaccinations
Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga Province (including the Kruger National Park) and north-eastern Kwazulu Natal as far south as the Tugela River.
Risk is highest from October to May. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone-proguanil or doxycyline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis is the recommended prevention.
Airport
O.R. TAMBO INTL AIRPORT (JNB) FAOR
- Johannesburg, ZAF
- S 26° 08.0′ E 28° 14.5′ Mag Var: 16.8°W
- Elevation: 5558′
- Fuel: Jet A-1
- Time Zone Info: GMT+2:00 no DST
Private flights
Overflight permit is required / landing permits are required.
Non-scheduled commercial Flights
Overflight permit is required / landing permits are required.
Fuel Service
- UAS offer supply via Truck bowser and Hydrant fuel delivery
- JET A1 readily available
It’s necessary to request permits in advance to obtain approval from the Aviation Authorities.
Slot approval must be requested by an agent in advance in order to attain desire slots.
There is a specific form for Charter flights.
Parking is subject to availability.
Peak hours on FAOR: AM hour from 0600 – 0900 & 1800 – 2200 (Local Time).
Delay during this days will be subject to traffic against scheduled ARR / DEPT.
No parking restriction NOTAM published yet.
No significant NOTAMs.
Accommodation
Hotels near the airport
- InterContinental Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport
- Protea Hotel Transit O.R. Tambo Airport
- City Lodge at OR Tambo Airport
- Protea Hotel OR Tambo Airport
Transport
Taxis
Most taxis have fixed fares instead of meters.
Fares generally start at around 32 R. Expect to pay an average of 12 R for every kilometer after that.
Car
Car rental is a popular option for visitors and there are many rental companies in Johannesburg.
Bus
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Bus Service is the city’s official bus service. See http://www.mbus.co.za
