In a bid to attract more airlines to service OR Tambo International Airport, Acsa will incentivise new entrants.

Bongiwe Pityi, GM of OR Tambo, revealed as much when speaking at the recent launch of Air Mauritius’s new A350-900, which will operate on the Johannesburg route. She said the incentives would be implemented similarly to those at King Shaka International Airport.

Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube TradePort Corporation, told Tourism Update last year that the incentives at King Shaka International Airport were based on a reimbursement. “The airline pays the fees to Acsa and Dube TradePort Corporation reimburses the airline on the provision of a valid invoice.

“Acsa fees are regulated and standard published airport charges. These are the charges that form the basis of the incentives. Dependent on the final terms agreed with any particular airline, the incentive is provided on a reducing scale, where typically, fees are reimbursed 100% for the first year, 75% for the second year and 50% for the final year.”

Barsa CEO, June Crawford, said it was good to incentivise new entrants. However, she questioned how long-serving airlines would be rewarded for their long-term commitment to the country.

Dinesh Naidoo, Group Operations Director of Serendipity Worldwide Group, was also upbeat about the incentives. He said that while two airlines (Ethiopian Airlines and Air Seychelles) had introduced flights into King Shaka and then withdrew them, he did not think OR Tambo had the same challenges. He said there was not enough inbound demand for Durban, while OR Tambo was a gateway for Africa.

Naidoo added that Tourism KZN had taken note of this and was actively promoting the province internationally.

Attempts to get comment from the Department of Transport and Acsa proved fruitless.