Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. Image via: @MbalulaFikile / Twitter
With an annual 2.4 million passenger servicing record, it’s pertinent that Lanseria International Airport adheres to the COVID-19 regulations.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. Image via: @MbalulaFikile / Twitter
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, on Saturday 6 June, inspected the Lanseria International Airport to ensure its adherence to lockdown regulations and directions.
After a thorough inspection, Mbalula dubbed it compliant with the Department of Transport’s safety requirements.
“We have evaluated the measures implemented at this airport against our requirements. I am happy to pronounce that not only is the airport is fully compliant with our requirements, they have gone a step further and implemented contactless check-in for all passengers,” said Mbalula.
“On 1 June 2020, the country moved to Level 3 of the government’s risk-adjusted approach in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant more industries resuming operations, which results in increased demand for transport,” he added.
According to Mbalula, the following regulations and directives must be followed:
Contactless check-in and boarding
At boarding gates, boarding will be staggered and prioritized in terms of the number of passengers to board. Sectional boarding will be implemented to avoid unnecessary contact inside the aircraft.
All the airports will have markings on the floors and seats for social distancing of 1.5 metres. This will be applicable at check-in counters, security checkpoints and lounges.
The following measures will apply inside the cabin of the aircraft:
Lanseria is an important gateway into SA’s economic hub, complementing OR Tambo.
“Our phased approach in opening our airspace for essential domestic travel will start with limited travel, permitted only through our golden triangle airports,” said Mbalula.
“In allowing domestic flights to land and take off from these four airports, we require the implementation of stringent measures to eliminate the spread of the virus through this mode of transport. These measures include a limit to the number of permitted flights per day…”
Once the limited domestic flights take to the skies at the first four airports, work will begin on the move to Phase 2 of the 3-phase process to re-open the airspace for domestic travel. This will entail evaluating the level of readiness.
Guided by these considerations, commercial aircraft movement will be allowed from these airports during each phase:
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Phase 3: