Dutch airline KLM is concerned about the security situation at Johannesburg International airport following Thursday’s attempted robbery near one of its aircraft.
Airline management met with the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) on Friday afternoon, a spokesperson said.
On Thursday night, a gang of armed men tried to intercept cargo as it was being loaded on board with a police escort. Three police officers were wounded during the incident but were in a stable condition.
The robbers fled in all directions without taking any of the cargo, which was reported to be gold and diamonds.
No arrests were made and the airport was closed for about two hours.
Police and airport authorities were tight-lipped about the incident and would not comment on the security threat.
Security at the airport consists of two different security companies — one run by Acsa, the other contracted out — as well as a police presence.
Police spokesperson Eugene Opperman said the different branches of security work very closely together. Police are always present during sensitive operations such as transportation of valuable cargo.
The last major robbery at the Johannesburg International airport was in December 2001 when armed men made off with $1,5-million in cash and more than $100 000-worth of diamonds and jewellery from the cargo depot, causing the airport to cancel its contract with its security company. — Sapa