Pilanesberg International Airport - which is just outside Africa's premier luxury resort, Sun City - is also a gateway to game reserves, world-class championship golf courses, hot-air ballooning and many other activities in North West province. And on the doorstep of the airport lies a wide range of accommodation.

Although this airport is one of ACSA's smaller airports, it enjoyed a major leap in status a few years ago: a R1,5-million terminal upgrade in November 2001 and the granting of an international licence in January 2002 paved the way for international passengers.

As for flights, there are daily connections to Cape Town (which is a two-and-a-half hours away) and to Johannesburg (a 30-minute journey). Flights between Pilanesberg and international destinations can also be arranged. See the list of charter services and the travellers' page for information for passengers.

Airlines

Many charter services fly to Pilanesberg:

* Streamline Air Charters: +27 (0)11 659 2683
* Executive Aerospace: +27 (0)31 408 1322
* SA Historic Flights: +27 (0)12 651 0200
* Kwena Air: +27 (0)11 803 4921
* Swift Flight Charters: +27 (0)11 701 3298
* Million Air: +27 (0)11 659 2683
* Air 2000: +27 (0)11 659 2649
* Progress Air: +27 (0)11 659 2745
* National Airways Corporation: +27 (0)11 827 9333
* Nationwide Air Charter: +27 (0)11 701 3330
* Ross Air: +27 (0)11 659 2980
* Planes R Us: +27 (0)11 701 2090
* Jet Air: +27 (0)11 659 1574/5

Contact details

* Pilanesberg Airport helpdesk: Tel +27 (0)14 552 1261
* Automated flight Information: Tel 086 72 77 888
* The contacts directory contains the contact details of all airports, airlines and service providers
* See the contact Pilanesberg Airport page for phone numbers and ACSA's head office.

Flight information

You can check flight times and details by:

* phoning 086 72 77 888 for ACSA's automated flight-information service;
* phoning the ACSA helpdesk, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on +27 (0)11 921 6262;
* using your cellphone to send to the number 35007 an SMS containing the flight number, in reply to which you will receive up-to-date flight details; and
* checking the online live arrivals and departures feature.

Shops

Refreshments are on sale in the terminal.

Transport

Car hire

* Avis Rent-a-Car (Sun City): +27 (0)14 557 1000
* Budget Rent-a-Car (Pilanesberg Region): +27 (0)14 552 1497
* Executive Carport: +27 (0)11 390 2062
* Imperial Car Rental (Pilanesberg Region): +27 (0)14 552 1767

Shuttle service to Sun City

A free shuttle service runs between the airport and Sun City.

Weather

You can check the forecast for Rustenburg, a town near Pilanesberg Airport, at the SA Weather Service’s website, www.weathersa.co.za.