Air Travel Under Level 1: What To Expect At The Airport

South Africa’s borders reopened on 1 October 2020 under strict conditions, particularly at airports. Please bear in mind the check-in and security process at international and domestic airports is taking longer than usual due to Covid19 protocols, and therefore all travellers should arrive even earlier than the usual recommended time for departure.  

Here’s what else you can expect when travelling through South Africa’s airports under Level 1: 

• Drop-off and pick-up are ONLY permitted outside the terminal building.
• All persons entering the terminal building and boarding aircraft are required to wear facemasks at all times.
• Temperature screening will be conducted at the terminal building entrances before any passenger is allowed entry. Passengers will be denied access should they have an elevated temperature or present signs of being infected with Covid-19.
• ACSA will ensure the effectiveness of the sanitisation process before entering the terminal buildings, which may result in the number of entrances being reduced.
• All airports will have markings on the floor for social distancing of 1.5 metres. This will be applicable at check-in counters and security checkpoints.
• Passengers should check-in online before going to the airport. Alternatively, online check-in can be done at the self-service kiosks in the terminal building.
• A limited number of check-in counters will be open and physical distancing rules will apply in the queues.
• All airline check-in agents will wear face shields and the counters will be installed with protective screens.
• Check-in counters will also be frequently sanitised.
• All airport personnel will wear facemasks.
• Passengers will scan their own paper-based or mobile device-based boarding pass on the scanner at the security checkpoint.
• Passengers are required to remove any metal or electronic items from their person before entering the security queue (including mobile devices, watches, jewellery, wallets, keys) and place them in the tray at the security scanner to minimise the need for physical pat-downs.
• All airline lounges are closed.
• At boarding gates, boarding will be staggered and prioritised in terms of the number of passengers to board.
• Sectional boarding will be implemented to avoid unnecessary contact inside the aircraft.
• Loading capacity for all airport buses must be limited to 70%. The buses will be disinfected after off-loading.
• Drivers, baggage handlers and ground handlers will be fully equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• On arrival, all passengers will be screened as they enter the terminal building. Suspected cases will be referred to Port Health.

The following international airports are open for inbound and outbound travel:

OR Tambo International Airport
King Shaka International Airport
Cape Town International Airport

The following airports are home for domestic travel: 

OR Tambo International Airport
King Shaka International Airport
Cape Town International Airport
Lanseria International Airport
Bram Fischer International Airport
Kruger Mpumalanga Airport
Port Elizabeth International Airport
George Airport
East London Airport
Kimberley Airport
Upington International Airport
Margate Airport
Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport
Kimberley Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport
Mthatha Airport
Richards Bay Airport (from 5 October)
Skukuza Airport
Plettenberg Bay
Phalaborwa/ Kruger Park Gateway Airport (no flights currently available)
Polokwane (no flights currently available)
Sishen (no flights currently available)

For more expert travel advice and great deals, contact your nearest Sure Travel agency, or call 0861 47 48 49.