KEMPTON PARK, SOUTH AFRICA, 2019-Mar-26 — /Travel PR News/ — New rules for checking in bags of irregular shape and size will be applied at O. R. Tambo International Airport from today (25 March 2019).
The new rules are aimed at preventing blockages and breakdowns in the baggage handling system caused by bags that do not have any flat surfaces or that have long straps or grips as per the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines.
Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind are the largest source of jams in the baggage handling system. These jams can shut down sections of the baggage handling system, delay baggage delivery to aircraft and inconvenience passengers and airlines.
Airport management has been contemplating these new rules since early 2018 and has now decided to adopt baggage conditions similar to those applied at other international airports. Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport recently instituted the same kind of baggage rules that will now be applied at O. R. Tambo International Airport.
The new rules have been agreed to after extensive consultations with the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) and other bodies representing airlines.
The new baggage rules are:
1. Only regular-shaped bags will be allowed at check-in counters;
2. This means that the bags must have at least one flat surface to be accepted on the check in system;
3. Round or irregular-shaped bags will not be allowed at check-in counters; and
4. Bags with longs straps will not be allowed at check-in counters.
Passengers trying to check in bags that do not conform to these rules will be offered the option of having their baggage wrapped with one flat side at airport approved baggage wrapping stations.
“We very much appreciate that these new baggage rules will potentially create inconvenience or additional cost for some passengers, so this is not a step we have taken lightly,” says Kris Reddy, Assistant General Manager: Operations Services.
“However, a small proportion of irregular bags that cause breakdowns in the baggage handling system creates far greater inconvenience for the majority of passengers. We have investigated this matter over about a year and considered a variety of alternatives.
“It is our view, and airlines and other stakeholders now agree, that changing rules for irregular bags will improve the overall level of service to all passengers,” he says.
About Airports Company South Africa
Airports Company South Africa is the largest airport operator in Africa. Our mission is to develop and manage world-class airport infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders.
We manage South Africa’s nine principal airports*. In fulfilling this task, Airports Company South Africa enables more than 80 percent of South Africa’s commercial air travel. Our airports process 40 million arriving and departing passengers a year.
In the 2017/18 financial year, Airports Company South Africa reported total revenue of R6.9-billion. Currently 52% of Airports Company South Africa revenue is derived from regulated tariffs for aircraft landing and parking fees and a passenger service charge. The remaining 48% is non-aeronautical revenue generated by airport retail, parking, property and other services.
Airports Company South Africa’s global footprint extends to technical advisory services and support, airport management, and operating concessions in India, Brazil, Munich, and Ghana.
We also frequently feature among the winners of independently-judged global airport awards. In the 2017 Airports Service Quality awards presented by Airports Council International no less than four of our airports were honoured:
• King Shaka International Airport achieved first place in Best Airport by Region;
• Cape Town International Airport achieved third place in Best Airport by Region;
• Cape Town International Airport was named Best Airport in Africa (over 20 000 air traffic movements) in the Safety Awards; Bram Fischer International Airport achieved first place in Best Airport by Region in the under 2 million passengers category as well as Most Improved Airport; and
• Upington International Airport joined the 2016 Director’s Roll of Excellence for being ranked in the top five airports for its category, size and region from 2006 to 2015.
For more information please visit www.airports.co.za
*South African airports we operate are: O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, George Airport, Bram Fischer International Airport, Upington Airport, Kimberley Airport, Port Elizabeth Airport and East London Airport.
Media enquiries:
Samukelo Khambule
Corporate Affairs Specialist
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Direct: 011 921 6732
Cell: 072 577 2678
E-Mail: Samukelo.Khambule@airports.co.za
Source: O.R. Tambo International Airport