WATCH | Acsa, BMA address OR Tambo festive season challenges

Airport

Cape Town – OR Tambo International Airport is bracing for high passenger volumes this festive season, with both the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and the Border Management Authority (BMA) taking steps to address operational challenges.

ACSA has urged travellers to arrive three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights to manage delays caused by system failures and increased demand.

The company warned on Monday about longer queues at passport control, attributing the problem to issues with the BMA’s biometric movement control system.

The system’s unresponsiveness caused significant delays, with on-time performance dropping to 62% on 16 December.

Acsa CEO Mpumi Mpofu reported that the situation improved to 85% the following day after interventions.

“We take our passengers seriously, but the negative impact on the economy that comes with disruptions in the flow of passengers during peak season is a matter needing serious attention.

“OR Tambo International Airport now serves as a very important gateway during peak season, particularly, and plays an important role as one of our key international airports with three ports of entry,” Mpofu said during a media briefing on Thursday.

Passenger surge and peak days

Acsa expects 696,000 international passengers and 262,000 domestic travellers to pass through OR Tambo during the peak season, with Friday, 20 December, projected as the busiest day.

Mpofu said that the first Friday following school closures, which fell on 13 December 2024, typically marked the start of the busiest travel period. However, Acsa anticipates that Friday, 20 December, will see the highest passenger volumes of the entire festive 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,” she said.

She also revealed that preparations for the festive season began in September, involving extensive planning and coordination with stakeholders.

Despite these efforts, Mpofu expressed disappointment over the unexpected system failures and assured passengers that measures are in place to minimize disruptions.

BMA Steps Up
The BMA acknowledged its role in the delays, with Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato announcing that 14 new systems and additional personnel had been deployed to bolster 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.

Jet Fuel and Parking Solutions
In addition to biometric system failures, ACSA addressed a recent jet fuel shortage, which disrupted flights earlier this month. Mpofu confirmed plans to upgrade the jet fuel system by March 2025 to prevent future incidents.

Acsa also highlighted the availability of long-term parking and shuttle services to improve passenger convenience during the holiday season.

With OR Tambo serving as a critical gateway for international and domestic travel, both Acsa and the BMA remain committed to ensuring a smooth experience for the millions of passengers expected during the festive season.

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