Technical Glitch Causes Extended Queues
OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, is experiencing significant delays at its passport control points, affecting both international arriving and departing passengers. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that the primary cause of these extended processing times is an 'unresponsive' Biometric Movement Control System (BMCS) operated by the Border Management Authority (BMA).
The BMCS, which is crucial for processing fingerprints and facial recognition data, has been malfunctioning, forcing a switch to slower, manual procedures. This technical issue has resulted in longer-than-usual waiting times for travelers, leading to considerable frustration and potential disruptions to travel plans.
Impact on Travelers and Official Advice
The ongoing delays have created substantial backlogs at immigration checkpoints. Passengers have reported extended waiting periods, with some facing the risk of missing connecting flights. In response to the situation, ACSA has issued an urgent advisory, strongly recommending that international travelers arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time to allow ample time for all necessary airport formalities.
ACSA has also deployed additional personnel to assist with managing passenger movement and to help expedite the processing procedures in collaboration with the BMA. The authority has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and has committed to providing regular updates as the situation evolves.
Previous Incidents and Ongoing Challenges
This is not the first instance of significant delays at OR Tambo International Airport's passport control. Similar issues, also linked to system failures, were reported in December 2024, particularly during the busy festive season. At that time, the BMA confirmed the problem and resorted to manual processing to keep operations moving.
The airport has faced a series of operational challenges in recent months, including refueling issues and broader backlogs within the Department of Home Affairs concerning visa and permit processing. These recurring disruptions have raised concerns about the airport's overall operational resilience and its preparedness to manage high passenger volumes efficiently.
5 Comments
Loubianka
This article perfectly captures the frustration I felt! Manual processing is so slow.
Katchuka
The article rightly points out previous incidents, which suggests these aren't isolated events but rather symptoms of systemic problems. While current efforts to manage the backlog are appreciated, the focus must shift to long-term resilience.
Noir Black
It's a technical glitch, these things happen. Hope for a quick resolution.
Eugene Alta
Why are these critical systems so unreliable? A national embarrassment.
BuggaBoom
While technical glitches are sometimes unavoidable, the recurring nature of these system failures at OR Tambo indicates a deeper, unresolved issue. It's time for a permanent fix, not just reactive measures.