Passengers departing on domestic flights from OR Tambo International Airport from Wednesday, 15 November should note that the public address microphones at the domestic departures terminal and gates will be switched off.
Standard operating procedures for most domestic flights require passengers to start boarding at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. From Wednesday, no passenger boarding calls will be made. The only instances where centralised terminal announcements will be made will be for irregular operations such as gate changes, flight time changes, security matters, system failures and customer service anomalies such as lost minors.
Passengers are advised to check their boarding pass and the flight information display boards for boarding times.
Spokesman for OR Tambo International Airport, Leigh Gunkel-Keuler said: “We have noted a consistent issue for passengers in independent customer surveys is noise levels in airports. A particular concern for customers is the number and frequency of calls to board and calls for individual passengers who have checked in and then apparently gone missing.”
She says many international airports have adopted a ‘silent airport’ policy in an effort to improve airport ambience.
“We remain focused on providing the best passenger experience and this move is part of trying to meet customer expectations,” she added. “We trust passengers will exercise vigilance and appreciate their individual responsibilities in going to the boarding gate and boarding the aircraft in good time.”
