Passengers irate over OR Tambo Airport flight delays

Scores of passengers at OR Tambo International Airport have expressed their frustration after a series of technical difficulties caused significant delays in flight check-ins and boarding processes.

The chaos unfolded on Wednesday, prompting a cascade of complaints from travellers who were left stranded or scrambling to meet their flight schedules.

“Check-in-Notice: @FlySafair is currently experiencing technical difficulties and is using manual processes for check-ins. To avoid delays, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport earlier than usual,” a social media post said.

FlySafair, the low-cost airline at the centre of the disruption, said in an automated response that their systems were facing challenges across several airports.

“Hi, we were experiencing system challenges at several airports that were affecting the check-in and boarding processes. To minimise any inconvenience, our dedicated staff and ground-handling partner were manually checking passengers in and boarding them manually at the gates. This has caused most of the flights to be delayed. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to restore normal operations.”

Passengers took to social media and complained of long queues and frustration as they waited for boarding procedures to be completed manually.

Many said they were anxious about their travel plans and the impact these delays could have on connecting flights or scheduled appointments.

It was reported that airport officials and airline staff were working to resolve operational disruptions, advising travellers to monitor flight statuses and arrive early to account for potential delays

The Mercury