Ruth Haines
South Africa's airports have been reopening in phases, with some domestic airports reopening in July 2020, July 2021, and most recently in January 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to air travel in South Africa, with airports implementing various safety measures and protocols to ensure the health and safety of travellers. These measures included social distancing, temperature screening, sanitization, and COVID-19 screening. As of January 2024, South Africa has eased access requirements at major international airports, including O. R. Tambo International, Cape Town International, and King Shaka International, to stimulate business and retail activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 22 January 2024 |
| Airports | O. R. Tambo International, Cape Town International, King Shaka International |
| Access Requirements | Eased |
| COVID-19 Protocols | Masks, hand sanitisation, physical distancing, temperature screening |
| Purpose | Stimulating business in retail stores, restaurants and among other concessionaires |
| Airlines | More airlines will be operating domestically |
| Date (older update) | 21 July 2020 |
| Airports (older update) | East London, George, Kimberley |
| Purpose (older update) | Reigniting local economies, supporting jobs |
| Other Airports (older update) | Bram Fischer International, Kruger Mpumalanga, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Upington International, Skukuza |
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What You'll Learn
- South African airports reopened in July 2020 and again in January 2024
- COVID-19 protocols and safety measures were implemented
- Airports reopened for business travel only
- Airlines may not offer flights immediately after airports reopen
- Social distancing, temperature screening, and sanitisation were enforced
South African airports reopened in July 2020 and again in January 2024
In July 2020, South Africa reopened its airports to business travel. Three airports, serving East London, George, and Kimberley, were opened for business travel from July 21, 2020, as they met the requirements of the SA Civil Aviation Authority. This move was aimed at reigniting local economies, with managers and staff at the airports implementing physical measures and training to ensure a safe reopening.
However, it is important to note that while South Africa had reopened its airports and land borders to international travel, the emergence of new COVID-19 variants created challenges for the country's tourism industry. Many countries and airlines imposed restrictions on travelers coming from South Africa, impacting inbound and outbound travel. Some airlines, such as Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways, temporarily suspended flights to and from South Africa due to these restrictions.
As of February 2021, South Africa moved to "Alert Level 3," which allowed for the full operation of 20 land borders. International air travel was restricted to only three airports, and travelers were required to provide negative COVID-19 test results or isolate at their own expense for 10 days if they tested positive upon arrival.
By January 2024, South African airports are expected to be fully operational again, with international air travel permitted. This prediction is based on the expected recovery timeline for international travel, which the ACI estimates to be between 2024 and 2025 or even later.
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COVID-19 protocols and safety measures were implemented
As of 2024, South Africa has reopened the main terminal buildings at three major airports: O. R. Tambo International, Cape Town International, and King Shaka International. These airports have implemented COVID-19 protocols and safety measures to ensure the safety of travellers and staff.
COVID-19 protocols and safety measures:
All travellers entering South Africa through these airports must adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols. One of the key measures is providing a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate, recognised by the World Health Organisation, obtained no more than 72 hours before the travel date. Travellers who fail to present this certificate will be required to undergo antigen testing upon arrival at their own expense. If a traveller tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate for 10 days at their own cost.
Additionally, masks, hand sanitisation, and physical distancing are enforced within the terminal buildings, including retail and food outlets. Temperature screening and sanitisation stations are also placed at the entrances to the terminals. Social distancing is maintained through limited parking availability, online check-ins, and restricted access to terminal buildings for passengers only.
Airports in South Africa have also implemented comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting procedures for aircraft. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are used in aircraft air filtration systems, capturing 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, including coronaviruses. Social distancing is encouraged onboard, with efforts to maximise space between passengers by keeping seats empty when possible.
These safety measures are subject to change and adaptation as new guidelines and regulations are released by the South African government and global health organisations. It is recommended to check the specific requirements and guidelines for each airport and destination before travelling, as protocols may vary.
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Airports reopened for business travel only
As of 2024, South Africa has eased access requirements at O. R. Tambo International, Cape Town International, and King Shaka International airports. The country's airports are now open to the public, with COVID-19 measures in place, such as mandatory masks, hand sanitization, and physical distancing.
Previously, in July 2020, three more regional airports in South Africa reopened for business travel: East London, George, and Kimberley. This reopening was an effort to reignite local economies and contribute to rebuilding economic activity in their respective regions. The airports implemented physical measures and staff training to ensure they could operate safely and efficiently.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced that these airports met the requirements of the SA Civil Aviation Authority, and they officially opened for business travel on July 21, 2020. The reopening of these airports was welcomed, especially in the mining sector and for businesses relying on business travellers.
Additionally, in October 2021, Fikile Mbalula announced the reopening of several other domestic airports: Bram Fischer International Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, Pietermaritzburg Airport, Port Elizabeth Airport, Richards Bay Airport, Upington International Airport, and Skukuza Airport. At the time, the minister discouraged any type of travel other than for business purposes.
South Africa's borders are now open to all countries, including Britain, with the country's international airports geared towards facilitating more passengers from abroad.
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Airlines may not offer flights immediately after airports reopen
As of April 2025, South African air navigation service ATNS has suspended instrument flight procedures at three airports: Bloemfontein, Richards Bay, and Upington. This suspension will remain in place until restoration work is complete, affecting flights during poor visibility conditions. However, certain approach procedures for key airports such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth have been approved.
Previously, in July 2020, the South African transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, announced the reopening of airports serving East London, George, and Kimberley for business travel. These airports had met the requirements of the SA Civil Aviation Authority, and staff were prepared to implement the necessary physical measures and training to ensure smooth operations.
While airports may reopen, airlines may not necessarily operate flights immediately. This was observed in the past by Senzeni Ndebele, a spokesperson for Airports Company South Africa, who advised business travellers to check with airlines for available flights. She noted that airlines might not commence flights on the first day of an airport's reopening.
There could be several reasons for this delay. Airlines need to ensure their aircraft are ready for service, with proper maintenance and safety checks in place. They also need to assess demand and determine if there is sufficient passenger volume to justify operating flights. Additionally, airlines must consider their crew staffing levels and ensure they have enough trained personnel to operate the flights safely.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted travel regulations and safety protocols, which airlines must adhere to. In 2023, South Africa's Disaster Management Act restricted domestic passenger air travel for recreational, leisure, or tourism purposes. International passenger flights were also prohibited, except for authorized repatriation or evacuation flights. These regulations and health protocols may have influenced airlines' decisions to resume operations gradually.
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Social distancing, temperature screening, and sanitisation were enforced
As South African airports began to reopen in 2020, a range of measures were implemented to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Social distancing, temperature screening, and sanitisation were enforced to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Passengers were required to adhere to social distancing rules, with crowding near baggage carousels prohibited. This measure was also applied in townships near Johannesburg, where 6,000 people were moved to 'de-densify' the area. Within the airport, social distancing was enforced in terminal buildings, including at retail, food, and car hire outlets.
Temperature screening was conducted upon entering the terminal building, with passengers encouraged to familiarise themselves with designated entry and exit points. The effectiveness of temperature screening as a standalone measure has been questioned by some studies, which suggest that it may only detect around half of infected cases.
Hand sanitisation was also enforced at entry and exit points, with passengers encouraged to use hand sanitiser upon entering the terminal. This measure was implemented in conjunction with other sanitisation efforts, such as the relocation of the Port Health screening process to international departure before the Central Search Point.
These measures were put in place to ensure the safe resumption of travel while adhering to health protocols and government regulations. The implementation of these protocols allowed for the gradual reopening of airports, with domestic travel resuming between August 2020 and mid-February 2021, and international travel between November 2020 and May 2021.
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Frequently asked questions
South African airports began reopening in June 2020, with three more airports reopening for business travel on July 21, 2020. In 2021, South Africa's borders were reopened to all countries, including Britain.
South African airports implemented several safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:
- Temperature screening and sanitization at entrances to terminals.
- Mandatory masks, hand sanitization, and physical distancing.
- Plexiglass at check-in counters.
- Regular disinfection of key areas such as baggage trolleys.
- Reduced staffing and staggered shifts for essential workers.
- Signage and overhead announcements to communicate COVID-19 safety measures.
The airports serving East London, George, and Kimberley reopened in July 2020.
Reopening South African airports was an essential step in reigniting local economies, particularly in regions heavily dependent on business travellers, such as George and the Greater Knysna region. The reopening of airports also provided support to jobs and the economy, with the anticipation of increased passenger volumes and more operating airlines during the holiday season.
