As the festive season takes flight, South Africa's ports of entry are set to welcome an unprecedented wave of travellers, with projections estimating over 380,000 international passengers expected to enter the country.
In light of these high volumes, Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), has urged holidaymakers to adjust their travel schedules to prevent delays and ensure a smoother journey.
During a media briefing alongside BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, Mpofu emphasised the importance of allowing ample time for check-in procedures, particularly regarding the recent implementation of the Biometric Movement Control System (BMCS).
For international travellers, Mpofu recommends arriving at least three hours prior to departure, while local travellers are advised to allocate two hours.
“We have been consulting with BMF to make travelling easier and more pleasurable for travellers in this upcoming peak season," she noted. “By extending the time spent at airports, we hope to mitigate congestion and support BMA in facilitating smooth passenger movement.”
This call for increased arrival times comes as ACSA grapples with a technical glitch reported this week at OR Tambo International Airport, where the new biometric system experienced issues, leading to longer-than-usual waits at immigration points.
The transition from the older Enhanced Movement Control System, inherited from the Department of Home Affairs, to the new BMCS aims to enhance security and efficiency at the borders, but the rollout has not been without its challenges.
Technical problems with fuelling infrastructure which were resolved had led to several flight delays, and some were even cancelled.
Dr Masiapato confirmed the difficulties, elaborating, “There was indeed a day where we encountered challenges with our new system. However, it’s important to state that out of 71 ports of entry, 70 have remained incident-free.
Our ICT officials worked tirelessly on the ground to resolve the matters swiftly.” This assertion aims to reassure the public that underlying systems are robust enough, despite occasional hiccups during implementation.
As ACSA manages nine primary airports across the nation, it is also gearing up to accommodate a projected 380,000 travellers, with 260,000 expected to arrive from international destinations.
The surge in numbers corresponds prominently with the festive season, a time typically marked by increased travel pressure and heightened passenger volumes.
In an age where security concerns are paramount, the measures being introduced are part of a larger strategy to address illegal immigration and cross-border crimes while ensuring traveller safety.
Mpofu and Dr Masiapato highlighted the collaborative efforts between their organisations to smoothen the travel experience, particularly as the festive period approaches.