O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) today announced the new R44 million passenger transfer facility, between the domestic and international terminals, will be operational in early April 2004.
The new transfer facility will streamline movement of passengers between domestic and international flights by offering transferring passengers a seamless connection through the airport. The transfer facility is supported by a newly developed automated baggage through-check system.
The system will allow transferring passengers to book their baggage in with their airline of choice at their departure point and then only require them to collect their luggage at their final destination. This applies to passengers using a single airline for all their flights or using airlines with alliance agreements.
Speaking at the ACSA Airline Interlining Workshop today Bongani Maseko, General Manager of ORTIA said approximately 28% of all daily passenger traffic through the airport is connecting through ORTIA.
“As a hub airport ORTIA has a focus to maximise the efficient processing of passengers and goods. The challenge is to find an even balance between our infrastructure and the industry’s needs. With this development we are ensuring we can cater for all these people who are moving in many directions through this hub,” Maseko said.
Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Clr Duma Nkosi, also announced a major investment in support of ORTIA’s recent infrastructural developments – particularly the new domestic terminal.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality will, on February 16, launch a major electricity upgrade programme to meet the demands of the ORTIA expansion. A Super Substation has been constructed in Isando, close to ORTIA, to provide an upgrade and highly reliable power supply to the airport.
“Future phases of the project will take place during 2004 and 2005. Once all the phases of the project have been completed, the expected total cost of the project will be in excess of R55 million,” Nkosi said.
The ACSA Airline Interlining Workshop is a non-regulatory platform, facilitated by ACSA, to draw airlines together to discuss opportunities to improve and develop their business.
Speaking at the launch of the workshop Monhla Hlahla, Managing Director of ACSA, said the workshop was an opportunity to bring airline players, local authorities and tourism authorities together, to engage on matters to impact on their markets and new routes.
“The airlines engage on strategic issues, such as improving routes, opening new routes, code sharing and partnerships which in turn have a major impact on the larger economy,” Hlahla said.
