18 November 2014, Johannesburg – O.R. Tambo International Airport, together with various of its stakeholders participated in an emergency simulation exercise earlier today.

More than 380 people from Airports Company South Africa, South African Airways (SAA), the South African Police Service (SAPS), Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS), CAA, Ekurhuleni Emergency Services and other entities were part of the exercise.

The five-hour exercise was set to test the airport and its stakeholders’ emergency plans, procedures and level of preparedness, in case of a major scale event. This exercise is in line with mandatory aviation and airport requirements to test the airport’s readiness, at least every two years.

Twenty evaluators from relevant agencies observed the entire simulation as the situation unfolded.

Commenting on the effectiveness of the exercise Phindiwe Gwebu, Manager Communications, SACAA said: “the exercise was managed in compliance with the emergency response plans of each stakeholder.  The response to the emergency by all services was very prompt and well-coordinated.”

Kris Reddy, Assistant General Manager, O.R. Tambo International Airport said, “This type of large scale exercise is very important as it gives emergency services and personnel valuable hands-on experience, which they can learn from and implement for any major incident that could occur at the airport or within the region.”

For more information, please contact:

Neo Callis
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Direct: +27 (0) 11 921 6381
Cell: +27 (0) 82 332 3935
Email: neo.callis@airports.co.za