Travellers will no longer be allowed to check in luggage that is round, irregularly-shaped or that has long straps at OR Tambo International Airport after new regulations on baggage were put in place today.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Assistant General Manager for Operations Services Kris Reddy explains that the new regulations were carefully considered before being implemented.
‘We very much appreciate that these new baggage rules will potentially create inconvenience or additional cost for some passengers, so this is not a step we have taken lightly,’ she says.
Airport Management has been debating and contemplating about these newly implemented baggage rules since the start of 2018.
ACSA says that bags which are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind ‘are the largest source of jams in the baggage handling system.’
It adds that these luggage jams can affect passenger travel-time.
‘These jams can shut down sections of the baggage handling system, delay baggage delivery to aircraft and inconvenience passengers and airlines.’
OR Tambo International Airport decided on adopting baggage regulations similar to those in place in Terminal 1 in Dubai International Airport.
Airline Operators Committee (AOC) and other airline representative bodies agreed to the implementation of the new rules.
Passengers who attempt to check in luggage not allowed under the new regulations must have their baggage wrapped with one flat side at the airport-approved wrapping station.
Here are the new baggage regulations:
1. Only regular-shaped bags will be allowed at check-in counters.
2. Check-in bags must have at least one flat surface to be accepted on the check-in system
3. Round or irregular-shaped bags will not be allowed at check-in counters
4. Luggage with long straps will not be allowed at check-in counters
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