More bad news for flyers at OR Tambo International Airport

 ·17 Dec 2024

Passengers flying through OR Tambo International Airport are once again facing delays, this time due to a system issue with the Border Management Authority’s (BMA) biometric movement control system.

According to the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), the system has been “unresponsive” and is not functioning as expected, leading to long queues at passport control points and frustration for travellers.

In a statement, Acsa acknowledged the significant impact of the delays and urged passengers to allow for extra travel time when travelling to the airport.

The company assured travellers that additional personnel have been deployed to assist with passenger movement and that efforts are underway to resolve the issue.

However, Acsa emphasised that the matter involves security oversight and vetting, requiring careful handling.

The company added that it is awaiting feedback from the BMA’s chief information officer regarding progress on the system fix.

In the meantime, passengers are being asked to remain patient as the situation is addressed.

This latest disruption comes just days after another technical problem wreaked havoc on flight schedules at OR Tambo.

A faulty valve in the fuel supply system previously caused delays when aeroplanes were unable to refuel.

Acsa explained at the time that a valve failure had interrupted fuel distribution, which grounded multiple flights and left passengers stranded.

While the issue was resolved, the backlog caused significant inconvenience and raised concerns about operational reliability at South Africa’s busiest airport.

The back-to-back incidents have placed additional strain on both airport management and passengers, who are dealing with increased waiting times and disrupted travel plans.

OR Tambo International Airport is a vital hub for domestic and international flights, and any operational hiccup can have widespread effects on travel schedules.

Acsa has apologised for the inconvenience caused by these issues, assuring passengers that all efforts are being made to resolve the current system failure as quickly as possible.

While technical glitches and delays are sometimes unavoidable, the recent disruptions highlight the need for reliable systems and contingency plans to ensure smooth operations at one of Africa’s key airports.

Until the BMA system is fully functional, travellers passing through OR Tambo are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early, and brace for possible delays as airport authorities work to restore normalcy.


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