Johannesburg – From Tuesday travellers will have limited access to O.R. Tambo International Airport precinct due to the arrival of foreign Heads of State for the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Travellers are advised that there will be limited access to the airport precinct due to several road closures and high police activity this week,” the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said in a statement on Monday.
ACSA warned passengers and stakeholders of the complete/and or partial road closures that enclose the precinct from Tuesday, (18 June 2024), to 24:00 (midnight) on Saturday, (22 June 2024).
Cargo Road and the Arrivals Road will be affected.
“To properly manage the flow of traffic, kindly note that vehicles on airport roadways will be diverted by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department to the departures (upper) roadway as well as Parkade 2 South, Levels 2 and 3, for pick-up and drop-off purposes,” ACSA said.
Travellers were advised to factor in additional travelling time to O.R. Tambo International Airport.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” ACSA said.
Meanwhile, ACSA said it was operationally ready for the arrival of foreign heads of state ahead of the Presidential Inauguration of the 7th Administration of the Republic of South Africa on Wednesday.
In line with ACSA’s safety and security protocols and collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the airport company said members of the National Ceremonial Guard will meet the arriving Heads of State and will be accompanied by ceremonial dancers.
A special facilitation gate used by heads of national government, foreign ministers, and government guests arriving and departing on international flights has been allocated for the week.
“I can confirm that ACSA is ready to not only handle the pressure and logistics for the arrival of foreign heads of state to the country but also to ensure that all necessary security checks and measures are in place for the arrival of these dignitaries,” says ACSA Regional General Manager Jabulani Khambule.
“A multi-stakeholder approach involving various law enforcement agencies has been put in place to activate the additional security measures required at the airport, as has been successfully implemented in the past whenever we’ve welcomed heads of state.”
