Tourism & Travel News South Africa

ACSA wins global accolades

South African airports - O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International Airports - recently walked away with top awards at the 2015 SKYTRAX Choice Awards in Paris, France.

Since the prestigious SKYTRAX awards reflect global airport customer satisfaction, they are considered to be the global benchmark for excellence in the airport industry. Results are based on an independent nine-month survey consolidating the views of 12 million respondents representing over 100 nationalities and covering 385 airports.

O.R. Tambo International Airport was named Best Airport in Africa, while Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport were presented with the Best Airport Staff Service: Africa, and Best Regional Airport: Africa, respectively.

O.R. Tambo International GM Bongiwe Pityi flanked by Airports Company South Africa’s management team.
O.R. Tambo International GM Bongiwe Pityi flanked by Airports Company South Africa’s management team.

Global ranking improved

The three airports were ranked amongst the world's top 30 airports. All moved up in global ranking compared to last year. O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) was ranked 24th, up from 26th in 2014. Cape Town International Airport was ranked 26th, up from 30th position last year. King Shaka International Airport (Durban) was ranked 28th, up from 32nd in the last survey.

The survey evaluates customer satisfaction across 39 key performance indicators for airport service and product. These include check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration. SKYTRAX, a UK-based consultancy, conducts the survey.

Airports Company South Africa CEO Bongani Maseko said, "We are proud that three of our nine airports ranked amongst the world's top 30 airports. We are also delighted that all three also improved their rankings. This is largely thanks to our collective efforts to strive for service excellence as we realise our vision in becoming a world-leading airport business. Since this survey reflects our actual customers' assessment of our service, the feedback inspires us to work even harder to enhance their travel experience through the provision of world-class facilities, systems and service."

The awards come shortly after Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world's airports, named Upington International Airport the Best Small Airport in Africa for 2014 for the fourth consecutive year.

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