South Africans set to take to the skies in September
OR Tambo International Airport expects close to 215 000 passengers to pass through its corridors in September amid the relaxation of travel restrictions in the country.
This was revealed by the airport's general manager Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana on Friday morning.
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This is South Africa's largest airport. The airport's General Manager Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana says these repatriations and evacuations took place in collaboration with the relevant embassies. "Of this number, 32 000 were foreign nationals who were repatriated by their countries back home. And of this number, 18 000 were South Africans who were stranded somewhere," said Pityi-Vokwana.
Pityi-Vokwana said since the lockdown was eased to level 2 the airport has seen a surge of passengers and airlines requesting more flight slots at the airport.
Only some 83 000 passengers made use of the airport during the month of July, but this number is expected to increase to 215 000.
"That should tell us the economy again is really starting to be stimulated and the airport is playing its role. This number should tell us that passengers are more confident to use our facilities," said the Pityi-Vokwana.
Pityi-Vokwana told reporters that 2524 flights are expected in the month of September with an anticipated 80% load capacity.
Listen to Pityi-Vokwana below:
