Wonderboom National Airport, Tshwane

Wonderboom Airport, is located north of Pretoria, South Africa. The airport handles general aviation flights and passenger services. The Wonderboom Airport was opened in 1937. Built on a Wonderboom farm, it was used temporarily for military training during World War II. The airport has been extensively extended, with a new terminal building and hangars being constructed as well as the runway being extended in 1965. This extension led to the Airport being able to receive its first Boeing 737 in 1982. Wonderboom was originally only an airstrip owned by the Pretoria Municipality. The Pretoria Light Aircraft Company (Pty) Ltd was formed in 1937, and drew up an agreement with the Municipality for the use of the property. The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality spent R 165.5 million on upgrades to the airport in anticipation of passenger flights. The airport would initially be able to cope with 450 departing and 400 incoming passengers per hour. The City of Tshwane believed that there is a market for passenger service, mainly Pretoria residents that do not wish to commute to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg; an estimated 25% – 30% of passengers using O.R. Tambo are Pretoria residents.