The airport, about 40km from Johannesburg's city centre, couldn't stand in greater contrast to its surroundings: it's slick, squeaky clean and has the stamp of executive jets and corporate travellers all over it - from the sparkling white tiles right up to the triple-volume ceiling with its chrome beams and huge glass frontage.
The building, which was refurbished in 2002, sparkles. It's finished in pleasing white and metal, and the exterior is spotless - decorated with palms and neatly manicured lawns. Parking is just across the road.

Lanseria is small but it was built to be an international airport 30 years ago. It has two runways used by 90 000 flights each year. Last year about 160 000 passengers passed through its small terminal.In comparison, the much larger Johannesburg International Airport handles 130 000 flights and 13 million passengers each year.
Way back in 1974 two pilots, Fanie Haacke and Abe Sher, identified the need for an airport to the north-west of Johannesburg and presented their proposal to the acting minister of transport, Hannes Rall.

He turned to them and asked in Afrikaans: "Wanneer lanseer ons dit [when do we launch it]?" The airport officials latched on to "lanseer" and Lanseria was born.
In the early days Lanseria was used by mineworkers from Malawi and neighbouring countries, who landed in DC3 and DC4 planes. These days VIPs, presidents and celebrities take advantage of Lanseria's quiet and personal service.