More airports to open this week

WHILE international passenger flights remain prohibited, with the exception of those authorised by the Transport Minister, seven more airports are set to resume operations on Wednesday, 1 July.

At an aviation industry briefing on Monday, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said in addition to the airports (OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town International and King Shaka International) that are currently operational, the following would open on 1 July:

Bram Fischer International Airport
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport
Port Elizabeth International Airport
Richards Bay Airport
Skukuza Airport
Upington International Airport

Read also: King Shaka International Airport ready to welcome travellers back

“As more airports are opened, this will naturally increase the number of passengers at airports and therefore measures have been put in place to ensure that passengers are prepared for their experience at the airports to avoid congestion, mainly at security check points,” said Mbalula.

The minister said to date the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has received about 117 standard operating procedures (SOPs) from industry and more than 87 have been approved.

While sanitisers are classified as dangerous goods, the SACAA has made provision for the carrying of such, in limited quantities, as a safety measure and in compliance with existing regulations to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

For smoother facilitation of passengers at airports, operators have urged the flying community to arrive at least two hours early to allow for sufficient time to process passengers, while adhering to the screening requirements – as per the regulations.

Read also: LISTEN: eThekwini still the epicenter of Covid-19 cases

In addition, SACAA has also reviewed its earlier decision of ‘no catering’ on board aircraft by permitting airlines to provide pre-packed meals, which must be placed in front of the seat for each passenger before passengers board the aircraft. This, the minister said, will allow for minimised movement during flight.

Mbalula said the decision to open more airports was made after government conducted inspections at the airports and were satisfied with the developments.

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