All Systems Go: Minister Gives Green Light for G20 Airport Operations

With the world’s most powerful leaders set to descend upon South Africa for the G20 Summit, the nation is under a microscope. All eyes are on the points of entry, the first and last impression for international dignitaries. After recent concerns, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has stepped forward with a clear and confident message: our airports are ready.

In a comprehensive briefing on Wednesday, the minister sought to allay fears and showcase the extensive preparations undertaken by the country’s aviation sector.

A Coordinated Front for a Global Stage

Minister Creecy outlined a year-long, collaborative effort spearheaded by a dedicated G20 aviation forum. This task team brought together a formidable alliance of key players, including the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), the South African Civil Aviation Authority, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, and national security agencies.

This isn’t a piecemeal operation. The minister confirmed that a centralized Venue Operation Centre (VOC) is now fully operational, acting as the nerve center for all airport activities related to the summit. This ensures seamless coordination across the key entry points: OR Tambo International, the exclusive Fireblade Terminal, Lanseria International Airport, and the Waterkloof Air Force Base.

Addressing the Power Problem Head-On

The briefing came just days after a reported power outage at OR Tambo International, a incident that raised eyebrows and questions about the state of critical infrastructure. Minister Creecy addressed this directly, attributing the Sunday outage to a fault in the municipal supply from Ekurhuleni.

She was quick to offer assurances, stating that the airport is now experiencing a “continuous and stable power supply.” More importantly, she detailed the robust contingency plan. “Should power be lost to OR Tambo, we do have backup generators that will take a few seconds to kick in, and they will provide an uninterrupted power supply,” Creecy stated. She framed the recent incident as a successful stress test, noting it “strengthened the airport’s state of readiness.”

No Disruption for the Everyday Traveler

A key concern for the public has been the potential for massive disruption to commercial flights. The minister had reassuring news on this front as well. She emphasized that scheduled commercial flights have been deliberately integrated into the overall operational plan. The goal is clear: the summit should proceed without inconveniencing ordinary South Africans and visitors going about their travel.

Furthermore, with the summit coinciding with the start of the busy December festive season, airports have proactively brought on additional seasonal staff to manage the dual load. On the logistics side, a massive 54 million litres of jet fuel has been stockpiled, ensuring no delegate’s departure is delayed by a shortage.

The message from the transport ministry is one of unified readiness. The plan has been stress-tested, the command centers are active, and the country’s aviation gateways are standing by to welcome the world.

{Source: Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com