Mthatha Airport (UTT) Information

Where is Mthatha Airport?  

The town of Mthatha, formerly Umtata, is situated in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.

The city is perhaps best known for its Nelson Mandela Museum (closed for renovations until March 2014). Just 32 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of Mthatha is the small rural village of Qunu, where former South African President grew up and later retired. Today it is home to a youth and heritage centre in his name.

Mthatha Airport (IATA: UTT, ICAO: FAUT), formerly Matanzima Airport, also referred to as Umtata Airport, is located about 11 kilometres (7 miles) near the  town of Mthatha, in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. 

One of the areas served by UTT Airport is OR Tambo District Municipality, also located in Eastern Cape Province. A lot of confusion was caused when the former Johannesburg International Airport (JNR) was re-named Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNR). The similarity in names is particularly confusing, as Johannesburg is located in Gauteng Province, a long way from OR Tambo District Municipality, which is in the Eastern Cape Province - the province of Free State, and the enclave of Lesotho, lie between the two.

Plans are underway to construct a new terminal building and rental car facility.

Airlink and Fly Blue Crane operate flights between Mthatha Airport and Johannesburg.