By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy says South Africa’s aviation network is ready for the G20 Leaders’ Summit which takes place at the weekend in Johannesburg.
Speaking at a media briefing, Creecy said all ports of entry designated for the summit have completed their operational, safety, and security preparations as world leaders and delegates are set to descend in the country for the G20 Summit taking place on November 22 and 23.
The summit will revolve around three core sessions: inclusive and sustainable economic growth; building global resilience in areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate change and food systems; and shaping a fair and just future, with a focus on critical minerals, decent work and artificial intelligence.
Creecy said the G20 aviation forum has supported and coordinated the facilitation of delegates across the following Acsa airports: OR Tambo, King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, Polokwane International Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and Skukuza International Airport.
The government has also approved three airports and one fixed-base operator as the main airports to facilitate heads of state and G20 dignitaries in preparation for the summit.
The approved airports are OR Tambo (a point of entry), Fireblade Terminal (a fixed-based operator facilitating the heads of state’s entry), Lanseria International Airport (a point of entry), and Waterkloof Air Force Base (a point of entry).
“In all the work that these airports do, they are supported by SACAA, ATNS, SAA (the official airline carrier for G20), and our department of transport,” the minister said.
She added that the command centre and VOC at OR Tambo, Fireblade terminal, Lanseria Airport, and Waterkloof Air Force Base are now fully operational and maintain uninterrupted operations.
“The command centre takes responsibility for coordinating all functions across the ports of entry and designated aircraft parking airports, ensuring a continuous and responsive operational presence,” Creecy said.
She also addressed concerns following recent power outages that affected Gauteng. The minister confirmed that OR Tambo International Airport experienced interruptions that originated upstream within Eskom’s network, but operations were not disrupted.
She said the airport “immediately transitioned to its backup power systems, allowing critical terminal, airside, western precinct, and cargo activities [to continue] without compromise.”
In terms of jet fuel, Creecy said the G20 aviation forum has stockpiled the necessary fuel, and 54 million litres of fuel reserves are in place.
Passenger and aircraft movement statistics show sustained activity across ACSA’s network in the current financial year, including more than 40,000 international aircraft movements and nearly 4.8 million international passengers at O.R. Tambo alone.