With the fall of the Portuguese regime in Angola, South African Airways lost its landing rights in Luanda.

In addition to restrictions to overflying African states, there was concern that the country would lose its landing rights at the Ivory Coast and Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde.

Upington Airport's runway was built to accommodate a Boeing 747 with a full load of passengers, cargo and fuel, so that it could take off for Europe without having to stop along the way.

Upington was chosen because of its strategic position, availability of land and comparatively lower height above sea level than Johannesburg.

From August 1976 to December 1982, South African Airways made use of Upington as a refuelling station for two weekly scheduled Boeing 747 flights to London and Zürich.