O.R. Tambo executes new rule to avoid jams in baggage handling system

Mar 27, 2019: O.R. Tambo International Airport of Johannesburg, South Africa has implemented new rules for check-in bags of irregular shape and size from March 25, 2019. 

As per the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines, the new rules are aimed at preventing blockages and breakdowns in the baggage handling system caused by bags that do not have any flat surfaces or that have long straps or grips.

Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind are the largest source of jams in the baggage handling system. These jams can shut down sections of the baggage handling system, delay baggage delivery to aircraft and inconvenience to passengers and airlines.

Airport management has been contemplating these new rules since early 2018 and has now decided to adopt baggage conditions similar to those applied at other international airports. Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport recently instituted the same kind of baggage rules that will now be applied at O.R. Tambo International Airport.

The new rules have been agreed to after extensive consultations with the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) and other bodies representing airlines.

Passengers trying to check in bags that do not conform to these rules will be offered the option of having their baggage wrapped with one flat side at airport approved baggage wrapping stations.

“We very much appreciate that these new baggage rules will potentially create inconvenience or additional cost for some passengers, so this is not a step we have taken lightly. However, a small proportion of irregular bags that cause breakdowns in the baggage handling system create far greater inconvenience for the majority of passengers. We have investigated this matter over about a year and considered a variety of alternatives,” said Kris Reddy, assistant GM - operations services at O.R Tambo.