Following a series of infrastructure issues at OR Tambo International (JNB) and Cape Town International (CPT), Acsa has earmarked R14 billion (€726,6 million) for maintenance, refurbishment and infrastructure replacement.

On December 9, 2024, JNB experienced a four-hour disruption to fuel supply, and on January 22, CPT faced a power outage affecting its fuel depot.

Airlines bear the brunt

These disruptions caused delays, increased costs, and damaged the reputation of airlines, says the Board of Airline Representative of South Africa (Barsa).

“Infrastructure maintenance shortfalls have had a direct impact on Barsa members and the broader civil aviation sector. Airlines rely on efficient airport operations to maintain schedules, manage costs, and provide a seamless passenger experience,” says George Mothema, CEO of Barsa.

“Disruptions can lead to flight cancellations, delays, and increased operational expenses, ultimately affecting South Africa’s appeal as a travel and investment destination. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure planning can undermine efforts to grow air connectivity, particularly in light of increasing global competition.”

Barsa says the recent disruptions have underscored the urgent need for resilient back-up infrastructure, be it for fuel supply, power generation or airside services.

Aaron Munetsi, the CEO of the Airlines Association of South Africa (Aasa), pointed out that its airline members and travellers pay statutory charges to various state aviation agencies, such as Acsa, for the provision of reliable services.

“Aasa’s position is that its members and travellers have been paying top dollar for services that have not been fully reliable. The regulators should insist on full audits of how those user charges were spent before entertaining any applications for (tariff) increases,” he stated, referring to tariffs such as Acsa’s, which are set to increase by 10,3% in the 2024/25 financial year.

“At the same time the airlines are bearing the brunt in terms of ensuring that they meet their commitments to their customers by having to provide alternatives for disrupted operations,” said Munetsi.

Political pressure

Political parties, including the DA and EFF, have called for urgent action to address systemic failures at South African airports.

“The DA will request an urgent Parliamentary Portfolio Committee hearing on the ongoing and growing breakdowns of service at South Africa’s major airports. Minister Creecy and the senior management of Acsa must be called to report to committee on the scope of the brewing crisis, and their plans to address it,” said Chris Hunsinger, DA’s Spokesperson on Transport.

Acsa’s infrastructure investment

In March 2024, Acsa was granted a five-year permission by its Regulating Committee, to earmark R21,7 billion (€1,1 billion) capital expenditure (CapEx) for airport infrastructure development.

In initial reports, the CapEx projects listed mainly consisted of airport facility expansions and the improvement of passenger experience facilities such as lounges, retail options and business gates.

Following the recent airport infrastructure failures and growing concerns about the deteriorating state of the airports, Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of Acsa, revealed that R14 billion (€726,6 million) of the CapEx would go towards maintenance, refurbishment and the replacement of infrastructure at SA airports.

“We've identified all the areas that need attention and those are the areas where we will be spending more time and effort just to make sure that we have a system that is failure proof,” Charles Shilowa, Acsa Group Executive of Capital Infrastructure and Asset Management, said during his presentation of some of the essential CapEx infrastructure projects.

Mpofu has attributed maintenance delays to COVID-related financial losses and regulatory approval processes. “We were hard at work between April, when we received permission, and now…Because there was planning required and because it was permission-based, we are now starting this process and we want to assure you next year this time this story will not exist.”