Ekurhuleni mayor Duma ka Nkosi says the process of renaming the Johannesburg International Airport to OR Tambo International is at an advanced stage, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday.
Ka Nkosi said a formal request had already been submitted to the departments of transport and arts and culture to effect the name change.
The Metro said naming the airport after the late ANC stalwart had political and historical significance.
Ka Nkosi said the use of resources in pursuit of the name change did not necessarily affect service delivery.
He said public opinion was gauged on the matter last month.
The airport is currently known as Johannesburg International Airport, although it is located in Kempton Park — which has confused some visitors.
It was previously known as Jan Smuts International Airport, after the World War II prime minister, but was renamed in the mid-1990s when it was said airports should be named after their localities and not after politicians. – Sapa