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Chaos hits OR Tambo International airport
2 hrs ago |
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Tens of thousands of travellers faced significant disruption this week at OR Tambo International Airport, where 152 flights were delayed and seven cancelled within a 24-hour period, throwing local and international travel plans into disarray.
As Africa's busiest airport and South Africa's main aviation gateway, the disruption led to extended queues at check-in counters and departure lounges. Families heading home, business travellers with tight schedules and holidaymakers embarking on long-planned trips were left waiting for hours amid uncertainty and confusion.
Passengers reported inconsistent communication from airlines and prolonged delays at boarding gates. Those with connecting flights were particularly affected, with many missing onward departures and scrambling to secure alternative arrangements. A family travelling from Durban said they were exhausted after a connecting flight was cancelled, describing the experience as stressful and frustrating. A corporate traveller from Cape Town said the delay forced him to reconsider scheduled meetings, while a couple preparing to travel to Europe for their honeymoon said they were devastated after learning their flight had been cancelled following hours in the departure lounge.
Industry sources attributed the disruption to a combination of adverse weather conditions, air traffic control constraints, aircraft rotation challenges and high passenger volumes. While such operational issues are not unusual in global aviation, their convergence amplified the disruption at OR Tambo, creating knock-on effects across both regional and long-haul networks.
As a major hub linking Southern Africa to destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, delays in Johannesburg quickly rippled through interconnected flight schedules. Passengers connecting to international destinations found themselves stranded in transit or forced to rebook at short notice.
Airport and airline staff worked extended hours to assist travellers with rebookings and meal vouchers, but long queues at information desks persisted throughout the day. Airport management acknowledged the scale of the disruption and stressed that safety and operational procedures remain the top priority.
Officials encouraged passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport and to allow extra time during peak periods. While operations are expected to stabilise, the incident has highlighted the vulnerability of major transport hubs to compounded operational pressures and has left many travellers shaken by the experience.
As Africa's busiest airport and South Africa's main aviation gateway, the disruption led to extended queues at check-in counters and departure lounges. Families heading home, business travellers with tight schedules and holidaymakers embarking on long-planned trips were left waiting for hours amid uncertainty and confusion.
Passengers reported inconsistent communication from airlines and prolonged delays at boarding gates. Those with connecting flights were particularly affected, with many missing onward departures and scrambling to secure alternative arrangements. A family travelling from Durban said they were exhausted after a connecting flight was cancelled, describing the experience as stressful and frustrating. A corporate traveller from Cape Town said the delay forced him to reconsider scheduled meetings, while a couple preparing to travel to Europe for their honeymoon said they were devastated after learning their flight had been cancelled following hours in the departure lounge.
Industry sources attributed the disruption to a combination of adverse weather conditions, air traffic control constraints, aircraft rotation challenges and high passenger volumes. While such operational issues are not unusual in global aviation, their convergence amplified the disruption at OR Tambo, creating knock-on effects across both regional and long-haul networks.
As a major hub linking Southern Africa to destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, delays in Johannesburg quickly rippled through interconnected flight schedules. Passengers connecting to international destinations found themselves stranded in transit or forced to rebook at short notice.
Airport and airline staff worked extended hours to assist travellers with rebookings and meal vouchers, but long queues at information desks persisted throughout the day. Airport management acknowledged the scale of the disruption and stressed that safety and operational procedures remain the top priority.
Officials encouraged passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport and to allow extra time during peak periods. While operations are expected to stabilise, the incident has highlighted the vulnerability of major transport hubs to compounded operational pressures and has left many travellers shaken by the experience.
Source - travelandtourworld
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