Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) has stirred discussion by unveiling reinforced hand luggage regulations, set to take effect during the forthcoming festive season. Although these guidelines are not novel, they aim to govern the carriage of hand baggage across ACSA’s expansive airport network, primarily targeting non-compliant items among travelers before they reach security checkpoints.

In a bid to streamline passenger flow and identify individuals carrying non-compliant items, ACSA has emphasized that non-compliant passengers will be directed back to check-in counters to transfer their baggage to checked luggage.

With the impending surge in passenger traffic during the festive season, ACSA underscores that the goal of these changes is not solely to manage the influx of travelers efficiently but also to strengthen their efforts against criminal activities.

“These regulations act preventively by flagging potentially illegal or hazardous items in travelers’ hand baggage,” ACSA stated.

Emphasizing the continuity of these regulations rather than their novelty, ACSA asserts that they will be rigorously enforced, prioritizing passenger safety within their airport environments.

“The safety of our passengers remains paramount. Therefore, the hand baggage regulations are in place to ensure the provision of the safest possible environment for our visitors, offering a seamless experience at our airports,” ACSA highlighted.

Furthermore, ACSA has elucidated that the implementation of these regulations stems from a recognized necessity expressed by domestic and international airlines, underscoring the collective advantages of standardized policies applicable across all flights. This uniform approach aims to ensure fairness and consistency in policy application for all passengers.

Applicable to all flights operating at ACSA airports within South Africa, as well as regional and international flights departing from the country, these regulations are deemed essential not only to maintain hand baggage policies but also to prioritize cabin and flight safety, aligning with global best practices.

Primarily aimed at identifying overweight hand luggage that could pose risks to both aircraft and passengers, these regulations necessitate passengers to comply with weight limits. Failure to adhere will result in redirecting passengers to check-in counters for luggage check-in. Weight checks for hand luggage will be conducted at security points before passengers access boarding gates.

ACSA advises passengers to arrive at the airport early, allowing ample time to check in their baggage and ensuring a seamless travel experience. In the event of flight delays causing passengers to miss their flights, immediate communication with their respective airlines is encouraged.

Outlined by the regulations, the hand baggage allowance is categorized as follows:

• Economy class passengers: permitted one bag along with one slimline laptop bag or handbag.
• First class or Business class passengers: allowed two bags in addition to a slimline laptop bag.
• Bag dimensions should not exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
• Weight limit per bag: 7kg.
• Passengers exceeding the hand luggage limit will be subject to the specific airline’s excess baggage rules.

ACSA clarified the term “slimline laptop bag” to denote a bag explicitly designed to carry a laptop and charger, excluding bags capable of accommodating items like documents, clothing, and other personal effects.

In cases where an airline grants an exception to the stated rules for a passenger, uniformed airline staff will accompany the passenger to the security point to confirm this exception to the security officer or official managing the hand baggage control point.

ACSA remains confident that their stringent hand baggage regulations, aligning with their zero-tolerance approach toward criminal activities, will contribute to reducing such activities and enhancing passenger safety during the festive season. Simultaneously, these regulations aim to ensure a seamless and satisfactory experience for passengers navigating their airports.