COVID-19: Reopening aviation in South Africa

South Africa's aviation sector partially reopened this week, allowing for domestic business travel to resume amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Refentse Shinners, Group Executive of Corporate Affairs at the Airports Company of South Africa, shared insights on the measures taken to enhance passenger safety at the country's airports. The company has implemented various protocols to ensure a safe and seamless travel experience for passengers. Shinners highlighted the extensive preparations undertaken to ready the airport terminals for domestic travel under level three of the lockdown. These preparations included deep cleaning and sanitizing terminal buildings during the initial lockdown period, along with the establishment of physical distancing measures and hand sanitization stations within the terminals. In addition, the introduction of COVID monitors aims to support passengers and uphold safety standards throughout the travel process. While domestic business travel has commenced, international travel remains restricted, pending further directives from the Department of Home Affairs. Shinners emphasized the company's commitment to abiding by official guidelines and facilitating travel arrangements in accordance with government regulations. Despite the initial slow start to air traffic following the reopening, an uptick in business travel is expected from mid-June onwards. Airlines are working diligently to ensure operational readiness and compliance with safety protocols, including securing necessary permissions from regulatory authorities. Notably, Fly Safair's recent initiative to offer passengers the option to block or book adjacent seats for added social distancing reflects the industry's proactive approach to addressing passenger concerns amidst the pandemic. This customer-centric approach underscores the ongoing efforts within the airline sector to prioritize passenger comfort and safety. While the future of air travel remains uncertain, stakeholders are committed to adapting to evolving circumstances and implementing measures to instill passenger confidence in the aviation industry.