Cheap Flights to Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN)

Bram Fischer International Airport (IATA: BFN, ICAO: FABL) is the primary airport serving Bloemfontein — the capital of South Africa’s Free State province, and the country’s judicial capital as the seat of the Supreme Court of Appeal. The airport is located approximately 10 kilometres northeast of the Bloemfontein city centre, on the N8 Corridor that links the city to the Botshabelo industrial area and Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. ACSA operates the airport, which handles over 400,000 passengers and 20,000 air traffic movements annually, serving a predominantly business-travel market.

The airport was opened in November 1961, with its runways completed ahead of the terminal buildings so that the South African Air Force could immediately make use of the facility — it shares runways with AFB Bloemspruit to this day. Known for many years as Bloemfontein Airport, it underwent a R46 million upgrade ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In November 2012, the South African government announced the airport would be renamed, and on 13 December 2012, President Jacob Zuma officially renamed it Bram Fischer International Airport — honouring one of South Africa’s most remarkable and selfless legal and anti-apartheid figures.

Abram “Bram” Fischer (23 April 1908 – 8 May 1975) was an Afrikaner lawyer born into one of the Free State’s most distinguished families — his grandfather Abraham Fischer was Prime Minister of the Orange River Colony, and his father Percy Fischer was Judge President of the Orange Free State. Despite this privileged heritage, Fischer became a committed anti-apartheid activist and Oxford-educated Rhodes Scholar who led Nelson Mandela’s defence team at the landmark Rivonia Trial of 1963–64, where his legal brilliance spared Mandela and seven co-accused from the death sentence, resulting instead in life imprisonment. Fischer was himself later sentenced to life imprisonment in 1966 for furthering communism, and died of cancer on 8 May 1975. Nelson Mandela said that in any history of South Africa, two Afrikaner names would always be remembered: Beyers Naude and Bram Fischer.

Popular flight routes to Bram Fischer International Airport are from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein and Cape Town to Bloemfontein.

Bram Fischer International Airport offers a modest but practical selection of shops and amenities within its single terminal building — well-suited to the airport’s primarily business-traveller profile.

Shops and food at Bram Fischer International Airport include: a sweet store, coffee shop, and additional food and beverage options in the departure area. The terminal is compact and straightforward to navigate, with most services accessible before security.

Services at Bram Fischer International Airport include: ATMs, cellular shop, conference facilities, and free Wi-Fi (available for 4 hours in the boarding area).

For a more extensive retail experience, Bloemfontein’s city centre — approximately 10 km from the airport — offers a wide range of shopping centres including Mimosa Mall and Preller Square, as well as the historic Waterfront area.

Bram Fischer International Airport offers a practical range of facilities, with recent upgrades improving the passenger experience across its single terminal.

Lounge at Bram Fischer International Airport:

• VIP / Business Lounge — located in the departures area, offering a comfortable pre-flight environment. Contact the airport information desk for current access details and booking: 27 (0)51 407 2200.

General facilities at Bram Fischer International Airport include:

• ATMs in the main terminal building
• Free Wi-Fi (4 hours in the boarding area)
• Conference centre
• Medical facilities
• Disabled access — ramps, elevators, and dedicated facilities throughout
• Public telephones
• Car rental desks
• Shuttle bus and taxi services outside arrivals
• Hotels adjacent to the airport (including Road Lodge Bloemfontein Airport)

The airport’s single main terminal handles both domestic and (theoretically) international arrivals and departures, though scheduled international services are not currently operating from BFN. Domestic flights connect Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha.

Accommodation near Bram Fischer International Airport caters well to business travellers and those visiting Bloemfontein for leisure, sport, or legal proceedings at the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Road Lodge Bloemfontein Airport

This 1-star budget hotel is the most conveniently located, just 500 metres from the departures building — ideal for early morning flights or late arrivals with minimal fuss. Amenities include a swimming pool, daily housekeeping, airport shuttle bus, terrace, 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, and laundry service. Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi are included.

Die Groen Akker Guest House

This comfortable 3.5-star guesthouse is approximately 10 minutes from Bram Fischer International Airport, set in a peaceful garden environment. Amenities include air conditioning, a garden, conference space, and a coffee area. Breakfast is available, with complimentary parking and Wi-Fi included.

Dersley Manor

This upmarket 5-star bed and breakfast is situated in Baysvalley, approximately 15 minutes from the airport, offering a premium Bloemfontein experience. Amenities include a swimming pool, room service, airport shuttle bus, air conditioning, daily housekeeping, laundry service, garden, conference space, and tour assistance. Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi are included.

Foreign currency exchange services are available within the Bram Fischer International Airport terminal. In South Africa, foreign currency can generally be purchased up to 60 days before your departure date.

The following documents are required to purchase foreign exchange:

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel arrangements (accommodation confirmation or flight tickets)
• An original ID document or temporary resident permit
• Proof of residential address (bank statement or utility bill less than 3 months old)

ATMs from major South African banks are also available in the main terminal building for cash withdrawals in South African Rand. Additional banking and foreign exchange services are available in the Bloemfontein city centre, approximately 15 minutes from the airport.

Bram Fischer International Airport offers a range of parking options for short and long-term stays, all within easy reach of the terminal building.

Parking options at Bram Fischer International Airport include:

• Open-air parking bays
• Shaded parking
• Lock-up garages for long-term stays
• Drop-and-go zone for quick passenger drop-offs

Both cash and credit card payments are accepted at the parking facilities. Given the airport’s mid-sized volume, parking is generally available without pre-booking, though reserving in advance is recommended during major events in Bloemfontein — particularly international rugby test matches at Toyota Stadium and Supreme Court of Appeal sessions.