The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA, has assured passengers of its readiness for the festive travel season after operational challenges led to delays last weekend.
This week, scores of passengers travelling through OR Tambo International Airport experienced delays at passport control processing points due to a system failure. This incident was preceded by flight delays and cancellations due to issues with the fuel bypass line earlier this month.
However, on Thursday, ACSA CEO, Mpumi Mpofu in the company of Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato gave their word that in spite of these recent challenges, the two entities are ready for the festive season known for bustling travel activities.
ACSA reported that the unresponsiveness of the Border Management Authority (BMA) biometric movement control system was causing these extended queues.
The incident affected on-time performance, which dropped to 62% on December 16, before recovering to 85% the following day after interventions.
At a media briefing Mpofu suggested alternative arrangements for the festive season, such as allowing more time for international travellers to arrive at the airport.
She urged travellers to increase their airport arrival times from two to three hours to ensure that they are processed in time before their departure times.
Mpofu stated that the busiest day is generally the first Friday after schools close, which was on December 13, 2024. ACSA also expects Friday, December 20, to be the busiest day of the entire peak season.
“And that would give us 20 886 international passengers coming through, and that's both departures and arrival. And 39 423 domestic travellers on 20 of December.”
The airport anticipates 696 000 international passengers and 262 000, on peak days, from today until Christmas Eve on December 24.
The briefing was held at OR Tambo in Johannesburg and comes as more people are expected to travel in and out of the country this festive season.
It was reported that the biometric system, essential for monitoring and managing passenger movement has been failing to perform effectively, resulting in longer-than-usual waiting times for many travellers.
“The delays are due to the unresponsiveness of the BMA’s Biometric Movement Control System (BMCS), which is currently not functioning as expected," ACSA stated.
Dr Masiapato revealed that his department had dispatched some of its experienced ICT personnel to resolve the technical glitches.
He said 14 new systems and additional human resources have been deployed at the airport to enhance capacity.
“We had to make sure that we respond with speed, and we have been able to deploy all our key top ICT [information and communication technology] officials on the ground to make sure that the issue is effectively addressed, and we are then able to get back to normal as fast as possible,” he said.
In contrast to the expected disruptions at O.R. Tambo, BMA confirmed that operations at the Lebombo border post in Mozambique are running smoothly, even as border traffic volumes are on the rise.
This provides some reassurance to travellers heading that direction.
Just two weeks ago, O.R. Tambo faced another crisis related to fuel supply, which resulted in long queues and chaos at the airport. Fortunately, ACSA has since confirmed that all fuel systems are now fully operational, resolving that previous concern.
Saturday Star