The Border Management Authority’s (BMA) passport control processing system is having technical issues, which is causing long lines at OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa.
Long lines were being caused by the “unresponsiveness” of the BMA’s biometric mobility control system, according to a statement released by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) on Monday.
The problem was being worked on by BMA technicians. The system breakdown is the direct cause of the delays, even though ACSA has enough staff on hand to handle the problem.
“The BMA has switched to manual processes to guarantee ongoing processing, which could cause delays. Passengers are highly encouraged to arrive early,” ACSA continued.
“ACSA is collaborating closely with the BMA to speed up passenger processing in the meantime and has mobilised additional staff to help with passenger mobility.
“We advise passengers to allow for extra time when travelling to the airport to ensure a smooth experience during this period of disruption.
“We sincerely regret any difficulty caused and appreciate your understanding and patience throughout this period. As things progress, we’ll keep you informed,” it stated.
