Upington International Airport in Upington, Northern Cape

About Upington International Airport

If you’ve booked accommodation in Upington, you’re in for a treat. This Northern Cape town may be characterised by intense heat and arid conditions, it happens to be on the banks of the mighty Orange River, which creates a green belt of lush vegetation. It has a rich history and is known for its fruit farms and vineyards.

Did you know why is Upington airport runway so long? The high elevation of the airport, extremely high summer temperatures and the fact that it was designed for the Boeing 747 necessitated the extreme length of the main runway.

Upington Airport was originally opened in 1968 and was called Pierre Van Ryneveld Airport at the time. It was used as a refuelling station for flights to Zürich and London by Boeing 747 from 1976 to 1982. This is one of the reasons that it had to have a particularly long runway. In fact, because of its elevation (851 metres), the extreme summer heat, and the fact that it needed to accommodate these 747s, the Upington Airport is home to one of the longest runways in the world, at 4900 metres. This, incredibly, means that it’s long enough to land a spaceship! The second runway is 834 metres long.

It offers flights to and from the international airports in Cape Town and Johannesburg via Airlink.

The airport also conducts international cargo flights and, between November and January, private charters for the export of grapes to countries around the world. The airport has convenient facilities that include a range of car hire companies, a conference centre, and a small parking area.

Book your B&B, hotel, self-catering cottage, or guesthouse in Upington to experience its unique allure and breath-taking landscapes.

Need to Know

WhereUpington International Airport, Diedericks Street, Upington, 8801, Green Kalahari, Northern Cape, South Africa

WhenPlease enquire.

Telephone+27 (0)54 337-7900

OvernightStay in Upington Accommodation, Northern Cape

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