• Further operational difficulties at OR Tambo International Airport are causing significant delays for passengers.
• The latest sees a “technical issue” affected the airport’s Border Management Services, causing long queues.
• Airports Company South Africa is asking passengers to come earlier to the airport to handle delays.

The busiest airport in Africa is once again beset by challenges during the hectic December travel period.

The latest issue: a glitch of OR Tambo International’s Border Management Authority (BMA) systems causing delays and queues at the airport which is expecting over 70 000 passengers on Friday alone.

Nearly 400 000 passengers are expected to fly in and out of OR Tambo International in the next five days, exacerbating operational challenges.

Issues with the BMA systems follows the cancelling and delaying of flights that affected at least 50 000 passengers last week when the airport’s plane refuelling system suffered a “drive shaft that sheared (or shattered)” in the mechanism that required the entire pumping system to be drained before repairs could take place.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says that this particular problem has been resolved.

“So far we are not expecting any disruptions or jet fuel challenges,” it said in a statement from CEO Mpumi Mpofu posted to X.

“The valve has also been replaced and has been successfully installed. It is constantly being monitored, and I am glad to report that its operation has been stabilised and it is operating at normal pressure.”

ACSA only says it has “addressed” the latest issue with BMA systems. The airports company says the problem will only be resolved next year when the system is replaced.

“A significant technical issue occurred, disrupting the movement control system and causing lengthy queues for travellers at OR Tambo Airport,” it explains. The company’s only resolve for passengers is to arrive even earlier to the airport.

“We are proposing that passengers arrive earlier than usual to make travel easier and stress free given the systems impact; three hours for international travellers and two hours for domestic travellers,” said Mpofu.

“Additionally, we encourage passengers to remain patient and cooperative with airport and border officials as we work to ensure a smooth process for everyone,” added BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato.

[Image – Photo by Jacob Narkiewicz on Unsplash]