Members of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises said they were concerned with baggage theft as many of them had fallen victims of this crime. The committee will request that all airlines present their baggage theft statistics before the committee.
The committee also called for better regulation of airport taxes. This was during Airports Company of South Africa’s (ACSA) presentation to the committee. Members were concerned with the fact that it seemed airport taxes were unregulated. Mr Maseko said the concern with regulation of airport tax bracket needed to be fixed urgently as it created a perception that in South Africa you paid more for taxes.
Mr Bongani Maseko, Operations Director at ACSA stated that the organisation was concerned with baggage handling and has formulated a strategy that elevated standard to be on par with international standards.
“We’ve also introduced stricter service level agreements which will require periodic integrity testing and criminal background checks,” said Mr Maseko.
He further stated that ACSA has deployed a fulltime baggage protection unit, to further decrease the incidences of baggage theft. According to Mr Maseko, there was no baggage theft experienced during the FIFA Confederations Cup.
ACSA also stated that the supply of jet fuel into airports is a matter of concern. “The replenishing of stock is going to be a problem,” said Mr Maseko. South African Express said they needed a commitment from energy companies in order to avoid fuel shortage.
He further stated the Department of Energy will lead fuel supply planning and has been assigned responsibility to ensure the availability of fuel. “A task team has been established to manage fuel planning for the World Cup, and we as ACSA are part of that task team,” said Mr Mase.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
5 November 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za/live/index.php)
