ACSA Experiences Record-Breaking High Demand for Travel
Johannesburg – Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has achieved an impressive 91% recovery to pre-pandemic passenger traffic levels, alongside a 5% increase in overall passenger numbers year-on-year.
On Tuesday, 28 January 2025, ACSA announced that this recovery was the result of a lively and active festive season, which witnessed significant growth in passenger volumes.
During December 2024, ACSA processed a total of 3,705,778 passengers across its network.
“The strong recovery was driven by the reinstatement of essential international airline routes, the entry of new airlines, and increased flight frequencies,” stated ACSA.
The peak day for passenger traffic was 13 December 2024, when the airport handled 139,935 passengers and recorded 1,139 air traffic movements.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and the robustness of our infrastructure, which enabled us to meet and surpass expectations during one of the busiest times of the year,” remarked ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) all met or exceeded their traffic projections, demonstrating the resilience and operational efficiency of the ACSA network.
Despite the strong performance, ACSA faced some significant operational challenges at two of its major airports, O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), which required prompt action and resolution.
Fuel Supply Disruption at O.R. Tambo International Airport
On 9 December 2024, O.R. Tambo International Airport encountered a fuel supply disruption due to the failure of the Feeder Line Actuated Valve at the airport’s bulk Jet A1 fuel storage facility, which became stuck in the closed position and prevented manual operation.
This issue halted fuelling operations across all aprons for about four hours.
ACSA’s technical teams quickly responded by manually operating the D2 valve and switching the actuator to manual mode.
The faulty valve was repaired and a replacement valve was installed on 11 December. ACSA submitted the valve for laboratory analysis to identify the root cause, with a complete report anticipated in early 2025.
Biometric System Delays at Border Management
Between 15 and 16 December 2024, the Border Management Agency (BMA) faced delays at passport control at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) due to the underperformance of the Biometric Movement Control System during the busy travel period, leading to longer wait times for passengers.
To alleviate the situation, ACSA collaborated closely with the BMA, advising passengers to arrive three hours before their flight, an increase from the standard two-hour notice, to account for potential delays.
“Furthermore, the BMA activated the older Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS) counters to assist with passenger flow,” said ACSA.
“Thanks to these efforts, queue times were reduced by 60-75% across all terminals, significantly enhancing the overall customer experience.”
Power Supply Challenges at Cape Town International Airport
On 22 January 2024, Cape Town International Airport faced a power disruption due to a fault at the substation, leading to heightened load on the fuel power cable and ultimately a cable failure.
“During the outage, the fuel depot operated on generator power while the situation was being resolved,” ACSA stated.
“The technical response was prompt, and power was completely restored by 4:00 PM.”
In response to this incident, ACSA has implemented measures to improve system redundancy, including adding an extra generator and developing strategies to prevent future cable failures, such as load reduction protocols.
Fuel Supply Disruptions Due to NATREF Refinery Shutdown
On 4 January 2025, a fire at the NATREF refinery resulted in a shutdown, disrupting 72% of the region’s fuel supply and placing stress on the fuel supply chain.
The refinery is expected to resume operations by 27 February 2025.
To tackle this issue, ACSA, in collaboration with fuel suppliers, airlines, Transnet, and government entities, has managed to secure alternative fuel supply solutions, ensuring 121.1 million litres of jet fuel at ORTIA.
This fuel is being imported and transported via rail and pipeline from Durban, with deliveries scheduled in multiple batches over the coming month.
ACSA CEO Mpofu expressed, “Reflecting on the success of the 2024 peak period, I am incredibly pleased with the growth and resilience of our network.
“The commitment of our stakeholders and staff, along with the robust operational strategies we have implemented, played a crucial role in ensuring a seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers.
“This achievement is a reflection of our team’s dedication and the strength of our infrastructure, enabling us to surpass expectations during one of the busiest times of the year.”
Looking forward, ACSA is committed to recovering its pre-pandemic status while diversifying revenue streams to mitigate risks within the aviation sector.
While passenger traffic in South Africa has not yet fully returned to 2019 levels, the financial health and stability of the industry are showing marked improvement, as indicated by the recovery in profitability.
Mpofu noted, “The travel sector has consistently demonstrated strong demand, and we remain optimistic about the future. We are eager to see further growth in passenger and cargo traffic in the upcoming financial year (FY 2025/26).
“We are particularly excited about the planned expansion of our international routes, the addition of new airlines, and our ongoing commitment to excellence that will drive us toward our objectives in the year ahead.”
As we look ahead, ACSA is focused on enhancing the passenger experience, ensuring our airports are ready for the anticipated increase in traffic, and maintaining the operational excellence that passengers have come to expect.
“Despite facing some challenges, our capacity to navigate these complexities while upholding a high standard of service is a testament to the resilience of our staff and the strength of our team,” stated Ms. Mpofu.
“Our outlook for FY 2025/26 is positive, and we are committed to leveraging this momentum to further enhance and expand the ACSA network.”