The 10 airports serving World Cup host cities are 90 percent ready for the tournament, the Airports Company South Africa said on Tuesday, adding that the final touches would be complete in May.

"We are 90 percent ready with most of the work for the airports to be done this month of March", said ACSA executive Chris Hlekane, who is general manager of Johannesburg's international airport.

Renovations at the Johannesburg airport are complete, he said. Cape Town is finishing up work on its arrival terminal and the new King Shaka airport in Durban will begin operating on May 1, he added.

"We believe that will be the time when we say 'all is done'," Hlekane told a news conference.

Upgrades at South Africa's have cost R17-billion. During the June 11 to July 11 tournament, South African officials have said they expect some 450 000 visitors although indications are that this figure will have to be revised downwards.

"At OR Tambo, at the beginning, we're looking at the maximum capacity of 60 000 passengers per day," Hlekane said.

Johannesburg hopes to have a new rail link connecting the airport to the Sandton business district operating before the World Cup. The number of buses and taxis serving the airport will also be increased.

Airport staff have also received training in Spanish, French, German and Italian. Dry runs will also be staged every two weeks until the kick-off.