To prepare for an influx of travellers this festive season, Airports Company SA (ACSA) said it will ensure that people-moving infrastructure such as travelators, escalators and lifts are fully operational in airports across the country.
ACSA, which operates the country’s nine principal airports, recorded a loss of R2.6 billion during the first year of the pandemic, and a further R1 billion in the second.
Although ACSA says primary resources required to keep operations functional ‘were relatively unaffected,’ passengers have complained about dirty airports, delays due to staff shortages, and inactive infrastructure, especially at OR Tambo International.
Responding to complaints via social media, ACSA noted the concerns around airport cleanliness, baggage handling hold-ups, and general operational challenges, which it explained were the result of layoffs and deactivations of some infrastructure to ‘ensure the sustainability of the business.’
Now, the first December in two years without any lockdown restrictions will undoubtedly see a surge in both domestic and foreign passenger activity in airports.
‘As from 1 December 2022, ACSA will increase traction in its “SummerUP” campaign, and most deactivated infrastructure such as people movers will be reactivated to ensure greater ease in the passenger journey experience,’ Terence Delomoney, group executive of operations management, told Business Insider.
Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, said: ‘ACSA has been transparent with us. They’ve told us that they are in the process of revamping some of their airports, especially OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International, to make sure that they are able to handle the traffic that they are anticipating in the next three to four months [including] the festive season, which is obviously our peak period.’
Picture: Getaway gallery
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