Security at South Africa’s airports and on its aircraft is satisfactory following the terror threat uncovered in the United Kingdom, the National Aviation Security Committee said on Thursday.
“South Africa’s aviation security measures by both the airlines and Airport Company South Africa [Acsa] airports are intact as per the requirements of the national aviation security programme,” said Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson Moses Seate.
“The decision on whether to fly to the UK or not will be determined by the airlines’ own assessment of security threats in the UK as well as advice from the National Aviation Security Committee,” he said.
Britain went to its highest state of terror alert on Thursday after police arrested 21 people for a plot involving the hiding of explosives in hand baggage for detonation on flights bound for the United States.
British Home Secretary John Reid described the plot as “very significant” and designed to “bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life”.
South Africa’s National Aviation Security Committee — which advises the transport minister on aviation safety — discussed the threat at its quarterly meeting on Thursday, said CAA general manager of aviation security Mongezi India.
The committee is made up of representatives of the CAA, Acsa, the National Intelligence Agency, the South African Police Service, the South African Secret Service, the South African National Defence Force and the Department of Home Affairs.
It saw no reason for the suspension of any flights to or from South Africa, he said.
The situation in South Africa is still normal. “We are evaluating the situation as it emerges,” said India, adding that the committee is liaising with its counterparts in the UK and US. He expressed confidence that South African aviation officials are on top of issues.
South African Airways (SAA) announced on Thursday that it would not cancel flights to the UK, but it warned of lengthy delays on return flights because of increased security measures implemented in Britain.
“At this stage we are still planning on flying this evening,” said SAA spokesperson Jacqui O’Sullivan.
The airline operates three flights a day to London — from Johannesburg at 8.10pm and 8.40pm, and from Cape Town at 7pm. The next SAA return flight was on Friday morning.
“At this stage, SA234, SA236 from Johannesburg to London, and SA220 from Cape Town to London will depart as scheduled,” said O’Sullivan.
All flights departing from London would be subjected to a 100% security screening. This affected passengers on SA235 and SA237 from London to Johannesburg on Thursday night and SA221, headed for Cape Town.
“SAA’s three daily flights to London landed this morning [Thursday] and passengers disembarked safely,” she said. The airline is monitoring the situation “on a minute by minute basis, not even hourly”.
British Airways also announced the normal operation of flights leaving South Africa for London’s Heathrow airport on Thursday night. However, it warned that onward flights — particularly European services — could be cancelled or delayed because of severe airport congestion as a result of increased security arrangements.
British Airways operates three flights a day from South Africa to Heathrow — two evening departures from Johannesburg and one from Cape Town.
Its Comair domestic and regional flights were operating as normal and were not affected by the security arrangements at UK airports.
The latest flight information is available on Ba.com and customers were advised to check the site before travelling, the airline said.
Britain’s Transport Department has banned the carrying of hand luggage and limited the items that may be taken on board aircraft, and only in clear plastic bags. “Only essential items will be allowed to be carried on board,” said O’Sullivan. “SAA asks customers to be patient with these additional measures and to add extra time to their travel arrangements out of London.”
No electrical or battery-powered items — including laptops, cellphones, iPods and remote controls — can be carried into the cabin and will have to be checked in as hold luggage.
Permitted items include: pocket-sized wallets and purses; essential travel documents; essential, non-liquid medications unless verified as authentic; spectacles without cases; and contact-lens holders, but no bottles of solution.
Also allowed will be baby food, but it will first have to be tasted by the accompanying adult; essential infant sanitary items; essential, un-boxed female sanitary items; unboxed tissues or handkerchiefs; and keys without electrical fobs.
Passengers are being hand-searched and their possessions — including footwear, pushchairs and walking sticks — X-rayed. Only flights departing from London are affected. Passengers travelling from South Africa will still be allowed to carry normal hand luggage, said O’Sullivan.
She said the airline had been advised that passengers on flights to the US would not be allowed to carry on board liquid or gels in any form or size. This included alcohol, perfume, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste and hair gel.
Passengers could have baby formula, breast milk, or juice for a small child, prescription medicine, insulin and essential non-prescription medicines. “Any duty-free items will be confiscated.”
O’Sullivan asked passengers to call Tel: 0800 747747 for more information.
She said airline was advising people not embarking on essential travel to reschedule their flights — at no additional cost. — Sapa