Cape Town International Airport is expecting a 30% to 35% increase in passenger numbers over the FIFA World Cup period.
 
This translates into just over 30 000 passengers moving through the airport on a peak day in June/July, as opposed to just over 25 000 passengers on a peak day in 2009. The airport can handle up to 43 000 passengers on any day, says CTIA communications manager, Deidre Hendricks.
 
She says CTIA - in conjunction with the airlines, ground handlers, retailers, car-hire agencies and the SAPS - has implemented a number of plans and processes to prepare for the expected influx of fans:

• The airport will operate on a 24-hour basis
• Various operational centres will be activated to assist with managing airport operations
• Retailers will extend their hours in relation to the flight schedules; and
• Resourcing will be done in accordance with airport requirements. “Our key focus at the airport is efficiency. We want to make sure that passengers can move in and out of the airport as swiftly and as easily as possible,” says Hendricks.

She says strict security procedures are in place to ensure that arriving soccer teams proceed through the airport quickly and largely outside of normal passenger spaces. This means the public and media will not be able to see them.
 
Transport from the airport now includes car hire, metered taxis and the new MyCiti shuttle to the city centre. “The airport conducted a dry run last weekend in an effort to test its ability to deal with an increase in shuttles and coaches. This went extremely well,” says Hendricks.
 
She says the ground floor of Parkade 1 will be dedicated to shuttles, while scheduled coaches will obtain access to Innerlane 1 at the airport. Tour operators wanting to arrange for special airport access can contact the landside team on (021) 935-3737.