O.R. Tambo International Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport
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The gateway to Africa
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.R. Tambo International Airport, the biggest and busiest airport in Africa is situated in Ekurhuleni near South Africa’s economic capital, Johannesburg. From its humble beginnings in 1952, the airport has undergone two name changes from Jan Smuts Airport to Johannesburg International in 1994. It was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport on 27 October 2006 after the late freedom stalwart, Oliver Reginald Tambo. The airport services airlines from five continents and plays a vital role in serving the local, regional air transport needs of South African and international travellers. This transport hub boasts key elements
required for a world-class airport business: location, accessibility and connectivity. It is ideally situated in the heart of South Africa’s commercial and industrial hub, with excellent road infrastructure, linking it to the national road network. Since 1996, O.R. Tambo has been the busiest airport in the continent, overtaking Cairo International Airport. With 170 retail outlets, there are also top class hotels and a fully-equipped gym close by so that travellers have everything on hand to make their airport experience enjoyable. South Africa’s struggle with apartheid meant that the airport endured a tough time in the 1980s when many countries
stopped trading with the country. Sanctions meant that South African Airways were refused rights to fly over most African countries forcing them to fly around the “bulge” of Africa. This required specifically modified aircraft like the Boeing 747SP until sanctions were lifted. AEROTROPOLIS Airports Company South Africa, which owns nine across the country including O.R. Tambo, is working hard to deliver a nationwide concept called aerotropolis. We spoke to General Manager Bongiwe Pityi who explained more. “An aerotropolis is not merely having an airport at the centre of economic activity, boosting aeronautical and nonaeronautical revenue streams, but rather to create value and increased sustainable long-term growth for the company and our stakeholders within a 20 km radius around our airports,” says Pityi. “We believe that by 2025, our airports will play a key role in shaping the cities and regions they serve, developing and integrating places where people will live, learn, work and play. Central and West African airports offer less distance for global transport and cargo travel for logistics businesses and passengers. “In this regard the implementation of Airports Company South Africa Vision 2025 is critical. This vision seeks to ensure that we effectively run airports, develop airports and grow our footprint (through Business Development).” Although positioned far lower on the continent, the company believes that
focused application of the aerotropolis concept in South Africa will attract business and make its airports preferable (due to facilities such as cargo storage and multi‑modal transport options), providing the best value in line with global value chain trends. Particularly for cargo movements, which have intensified in the last few years. Working hand in hand with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), the upgrade of the airport and its facilities will enhance economic growth, reducing the cost of business, skills development, further integrating the public transport network, integrated spatial planning, improved logistics networks and handling. A main focus area for O.R. Tambo International Airport is cargo and logistics development in order to secure further courier and logistics-based business. “In close co-operation with the City of Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng Province, we plan to further develop the Midfield Cargo facilities,” says Pityi. LEADERSHIP So who is Bongiwe Pityi, the woman who leads the continent’s busies airport? In 2014, she became the first woman to manage an airport in Africa. Having successfully undertaken several different roles including Assistant General Manager and Project Leader, Pityi combined her industry knowledge and Law degree to take on a critical role at Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, Brazil. There she was Assistant Director: Airport Operations in the crucial period leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
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Upon returning to South Africa, Pityi was appointed General Managaer of O.R. Tambo where she is responsible for its stakeholder management (including airlines, government agencies, ground handlers and concessionaires) and ensuring there is strict compliance of all regulations in the management of facilitators and aviation safety. After practising as an attorney for two years before joining the aviation industry, Pityi believes that her legal training equips her with an appreciation of whatever the prevailing laws and regulations currently, which is highly relevant in her current role.
PROCUREMENT AND THE ECONOMY A strategic objective of Airports Company is to raise the portion of nontariff revenue to 55% of total revenue by 2020. Non-tariff revenue includes airport retail space, parking, advertising and property, car rentals and other ancillary services. For Airports Company South Africa, procurement from suitably qualified black-owned enterprises is essential in contributing to the transformation of the historically white-dominated economy. “Our procurement and bidding performance has reached the stage where black-owned companies are replacing other black-owned companies
Otis Africa (a company affiliated to Otis Group and member of United Technologies Corporation, USA), operates in the industry sector of passenger’s vertical and horizontal transportation systems. Having a large footprint in the continent, Otis Africa expands its new operation base in Johannesburg and its coverage through 4 subsidiaries, 25 distributors, 1000 employees and mechanics Safer.who maintain a base of more than 25.000 Lifts, Freight lifts, Escalators and Moving Walkways in offices, Simpler. hospitals, industrials and Airports. Otis systems are used in many airports in Europe, Sustainable. Asia, Middle East and Africa and prestigious international Hubs such as Paris-Roissy Charles de Gaulle in France and OR Tambo International in Johannesburg.
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when contracts come to an end. We regard this as a strong indication of progress made,” says Pityi. “It also demonstrates that Airports Company’s transformation policy is benefiting as broad a base of people as possible rather than awarding contracts to similar faces every time contracts are up for re-bid.” Airports Company South Africa awarded 44 retail contracts to the value of R210 million in the 2016 financial year. The company has fostered the emergence and development of 1107 small, medium and larger companies through its procurement practices in the
last financial year. At O.R. Tambo, building strong relationships with both national and international brands is imperative to the airport’s success. These notable companies include the likes of Otis, Reshibile Aviation & Security Services,Technique Engineering Services, Hetlisa Cleaning Services and Zeag South Africa. TECHNOLOGY O.R. Tambo fully subscribes to the IATA Fast Travel concept and have successfully completed our self-bag drop trials and will be rolling out the
Email: tebello@reshebile.co.za / info@reshebile.co.za, Telephone: 086 111 7277 / 011 6160134
Address: Operational office: 71 Crn Rudo Nell and Kelly road, Merinda industrial Park, Unit 25 B&C, Jet Park, 1469 Corporate Office: 2 Bradford Road, Bedfordview, 2007 Website: www.reshebile.co.za
Reshebile Aviation and Protection Services (Pty) Ltd, known as RAPS, was formed in 2001 by two companies - Zonkizizwe Security Services and IEPS Protection Services.
Email: tebello@reshebile.co.za / info@reshebile.co.za, Telephone: 086 111 7277 / 011 6160134
Address: Operational office: 71 Crn Rudo Nell and Kelly road, Merinda industrial Park, Unit 25 B&C, Jet Park, 1469 Corporate Office: 2 Bradford Road, Bedfordview, 2007
The intention was to create an internationally recognised security service provider in the field of aviation, an industry which has always had fewer black and previously disadvantaged ownership. Website: www.reshebile.co.za
Through hard work, RAPS has earned a top reputation. It is now a security provider to South African Airways nationally and did work for the Gautrain project. The company recently signed a security service contract to provide security services to Airports Company South Africa (OR Tambo International Airport and East London Airport). RAPS also provides services to various companies such as South African Social Services Agency (SASSA), University of South Africa (UNISA) to mention a few. It has achieved a strategic partnership with IATA (The International Aviation Transport Association), and is also recognised and certified by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to operate in all South African International Airports.
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service to passengers as soon as approval is given from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). In November 2016, the airport was the first in Africa to implement the Smart Security checkpoint that will digitise the security check process, speed up passenger progress through security and further enhance security through use of state-of-the-art scanners. The pilot implementation phase of the Smart Security system was recently completed and its performance is currently being evaluated. The new checkpoint includes a new conveyor system for checking hand luggage
and new scanning booth for individual passengers. With the new system there is almost be no need for physical patdowns of passengers who set off security alarms because the scanning technology is much better at detecting objects that should not be carried on or around the person. There are also be less frequent requirements for laptops to be removed from bags and switched on. So how will ever advancing technology help the airport to improve? “The impact of technology is fundamental to the future of the airports business. We are moving from being an airports company that runs technology to a digital company
Technique Services has a mission. Not just to support Africa’s renewal and new infrastructure developments as well as creating new opportunities, but also to develop skills and offer quality training. “With the right partners and good support, we will train and develop our young people, as our future lies in their hands” Inkunzi ise Matholeni. We offer free quotes for maintenance contracts and after hours support for our signed up customers. Remember, when you buy your product through Technique, you are being provided with our support and a strong relationship, too. You are welcomed as a member of the Technique family n New generator sales, installation & maintenance support n New change over panels & distribution boards n Upgrade of existing controls for generators n Maintenance contracts & after hours support n Electrical services provided n Mechanical services, exhaust systems, ducting & louvers
that runs airports. We have embarked on a number of initiatives to turn this ideal into a reality,” says Pityi. “These include customer-facing digital projects as well as ensuring that back-end systems are ready for the challenges posed by digital transformation. In practical terms, this means providing a seamless experience for people using the airports. This means you should be able to buy your ticket at home, book your parking, drop your bag through a self-service mechanism and walk on the aircraft with as little friction as possible.”
SUSTAINABILITY O. R. Tambo International Airport is one of four South African airports that have been awarded Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), in line with a key strategic objective of Airports Company South Africa to enhance sustainability and reduce its environmental impact. Achieving Level 1 ACA accreditation is an important milestone on the journey to becoming carbon neutral. It is the company’s goal for all of its nine airports achieve an Airport Carbon Accreditation rating and we continue to strive to reduce the impact of operations on the environment.
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Bongiwe Pityi
General Manager: O.R Tambo International Airport
CUSTOMER FOCUSED O.R. Tambo remains focused on providing an enjoyable, seamless experience to passengers travelling to or from the airport. Its record of high customer ratings in independent surveys ranks O.R. Tambo alongside global airports. Promoting South Africa as a tourism destination is also a priority, and the airport works with its partners to do so. “Customers across virtually all age and demographic profiles are increasingly sophisticated and comfortable with digital technology to the extent that they expect – demand, even – the most seamless and technology experience
PARQUBE
possible,” says Pityi. “In practical terms, this means providing a seamless experience for people using the airports. This means you should be able to buy your ticket at home, book your parking, drop your bag through a self-service mechanism and walk on the aircraft with as little friction as possible.” Despite the tough economic conditions in South Africa, O.R. Tambo has managed to uphold its reputation as the premier gateway to Africa which is profitable and forward-thinking. Under the strong leadership of Bongiwe Pityi, it continues to thrive as it looks to achieve its 2025 goals.
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