Hlubi7/9/2010 1:47 PM

Sheeesh! could people please stop with the negativity. Mistakes happen, and each one of us should embrace the fact that we were blessed enough to actually host a beautiful and uniting World Cup. Focus on the POSITIVE and all the LOVELY ACHIEVEMENTS in our country. I see what happened on the 7th as a blessing in disguise. First we crawl, stumble, walk, run then fly. Allow the process! Loosen up. i understand people are frustrated but this too shall pass. Jus don't repeat the same mistake Mzansi. United we stand...divided we fall. Think about it!!

Alan@Sarah7/9/2010 11:23 AM

Excellent point, very well made Sarah. One mistake doesn't ruin the whole thing, and its not as if it doesn't happen elsewhere in the world.

Jane7/9/2010 1:54 AM

For those who keep asking about old Durban, it is a military airfield now, so passengers may not disembark there. Secondly, once a plane taxies off the runway and into the parking area they are out of ATC's hands - that's ACSA's domain. If there is no space, what do you expect ATC to do? Land them and them just leave them on the taxiway? The fact that there were no incidents or crashes with the chaos in the sky makes ATC heroes in my book

Keith7/8/2010 7:31 PM

Please ACSA stop blaming the vip's and small planes because you failed to plan for the obvious. How could you not know that there would be increased demand for aircraft parking. Why could planes not land - unload and fly out again. Why did you not have a designated parking area for small planes. WHY WHY WHY. You have ruined SA's unblemished record on hosting the World Cup. This time heads should roll, starting with ACSA Durban Management or should that read mis-management.

kel7/8/2010 5:02 PM

its not so much about the football fans but the idea that a perfectly good airport was closed and the new one promoted by the Governmunt to suggest it would avoid such incidents. Morons of the highest caliber, This is meant to be an international airport. there had to be one mess up some where and it had to be Durban with its rulers with the biggest ego's. as for the fans, get real you really should have made a better plan, it took me 2 hours from Umhlanga to the stadium for Spain Portugal, some one should be accountable, weather the fan for leaving it too late or the tour operator for not making enough time or ACSA for just cocking up......

Sims7/8/2010 4:44 PM

I have no sympathy for fans or anyone who missed the game because of the Air traffic congestion. "WHY DO PEOPLE FLY AT THE LAST MINUTE? " Guys it's flippin logical- if they really wanted to watch the game they should have gotten there early, simple as that! Some of ppl drove there. They should ask the Airlines they booked with to reimburse them because it's partly their fault but it's NOT South Africa's fault. The standard of Journalism has gone to be dogs!!

norpmes7/8/2010 4:35 PM

i was stuck at lanseria airport for just on 9 hours i was supposed to get on the 8 o clock flight and finally ended up in durban at 3:30 in the morning the next day..not impressed at all

Marlene7/8/2010 4:08 PM

Sarah, oh so right! I bet everyone who has put in their 2 cents worth of negative input are the very same ones who very spitefully wished that we could fail at this 2010 thing. Of course they didnt attend any matches or support SA in any way whatsover! And yes, any country is capable of experiencing exactly what happened at the Durban airport-if you have travelled to other countries you would know that. Your small and narrow minds makes you believe that all negative things happen ONLY in SA. I have been to seven matches so far - WHAT AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! Three times we travelled to Soccer City - all three times we were at the stadium four hours before the match. Thats good planning. Bad planning with a connecting flight in 2006 cost me and my family extreme stress by being stuck in ANOTHER COUNTRY for an extra two days. So, bad planning will inevitably cause problems-it doesn't matter where in the world you are. Don't hold onto something that you've grabbed in the media to nurture that "I told you so". I've expereinced the 2010 in all its glory-words cannot describe the opening, of being able to stand in a stadium of almost 90000 people and sing the SA National Anthem, of expereincing the devastation when Ghana lost to Uruguay, of being a German fan for over 20 years and actually making the trip to Moses Mabidha and watching them win against Australia, of meeting and embracing foreigners and taking pictures with them ......you had to have experienced this but to experience this you have to love your country and always wish good and positive things and certainly not gloat about its failures. And like Sarah, I too have travelled to several other countries. Man, is SA the best country in the world!!!! No one can beat our spirit.By the way, I am neither white nor black-I invite you to join the melting POT!

Angel 7/8/2010 3:40 PM

We'd like Acsa to publish the list of private planes (names and numbers etc) that caused the foul-up. A spokesman for Acsa said on radio the pilots of some private planes had refused to move the planes after landing, had locked them and walked away. If that's the case, the remedy would have been to call in something like a bulldozer and push the planes off the runway or apron. Simple solution. What would Acsa have done if there had been an emergency and the runway was blocked? The pilots (or whoever instructed them) violated SA citizen's rights, Acsa let them get away with it (again violating soembody's rights) and between them they should fully compensate everyone and anyone who was in the least inconvenienced. Oh, and while they're about it, how about a sincere apology.

Neil7/8/2010 3:36 PM

It's quite sad that people now expect the airlines to cough up compensation for unused match tickets and compensation for delays - our flights were ready to go on the tarmac and were refused permission to land in DUR so were stuck where there were. Slots approved, flight plans filed, well in advance. Now we are expected to pay up.

pb7/8/2010 3:31 PM

2020 Olympics for Durban?? - Feel them...They are gone. Can ACSA their ATC staff please explain how scheduled airline flights were bumped from their pre-arranged slots and just who is responsible for this internationally embarrassing mess? Durban, with it's highest in the country local taxes (0.09C in the Rand and a lot of over valued properities) has just seriously jeopardised its Olympic bid for 2020. Durban may forever be remembered for its spoiling of the 2010 SWC and a great many reatepayers who will not see the 2020 Olympics in their city. Will the parties responsible for the King Shaka debacle step up and resign please.

Robert7/8/2010 3:22 PM

Bye, bye Olympics! Bye, bye CEO of Durban Airport (He or she should be fired!. How can private planes get preferential treatment above commercial airlines. How can you refuse to remove your plane? Who is the person to let them land in the first place. Olympic Commitee, be afraid, VERY AFRAID!

TC7/8/2010 3:20 PM

I know everyone is emotional right now. FIFA will compensate the passengers, SA LOC will apologise. This is a moment in time...It will pass... Please be positive. The World Cup has united our nation, now this one problem has divided us on the very lines that we tried to erase... I'd like to believe that people are innately good, and they they do not intentionally contrive harm. Have we lost our humanity? Where is the ubuntu? People, let's pick ourselves up, and move forward... Though we stumble, we must not fall. Be the change you want to see!

Late7/8/2010 3:01 PM

so why were the fans flying so "last minute"?? if it were me, i would have made sure i got to Durban early - i know what flights can be like! sorry about the mess up guys, but next time try and be a little earlier

GOBSMACKED7/8/2010 2:24 PM

"We had lots of air traffic....." Well what were you expecting???? Tell us again why this airport was originally planned to be ready for the SWC with it's resultant increase in air traffic, and please tell us how these flight plans were altered, AFTER take off? Did the VIP jets comply with their original flight plans? Did they even have complete flight plans when they took off? Tell us how you couldn't get it right, with three perfectly good airports in the city!!!!!!

Sydney7/8/2010 2:15 PM

Passenger safety must have been the primary concern when it was decided to close the airspace at KSIA last night but it must be clearly understood that this whole debacle could have been prevented by following standard (International Aviation) procedures used at every single airport in the world! Private jets? Parking issues? Airspace congestion??? You have got to be kidding me! They knew exactly how many planes were arriving and in which time slots and further knew exactly which schedule aircraft will require parking way in advance but hey, let’s wait for the shit to hit fan and shut the whole place down. Incompetent, irresponsible, dangerous and not enough balls to take responsibility. I sincerely hope everyone sue the pants off them not for the price of plane or soccer tickets but for their incompetence and the inconvenience it caused. The Ministry - Department of Transport and the South African Civil Aviation Authority are a good start. Let them sort out the rest of the clowns... Oooops they don’t know what they are doing either! Let’s remember that this same Ministry is shutting down one of the most congested freeways in the country this weekend to allow VIP’s to travel to the soccer. Sorry for the rest of Gauteng, you can find your own route! Is this just me or is someone missing the plot?

Pieter7/8/2010 2:06 PM

Ag come on it is not the end of the world. Don't let this small event result in negativity. Still Proudly SA!

fan7/8/2010 2:03 PM

ACSA retards. And this is at our multibillion rand state of the art airport with the old airport standing unused. Third world is too kind a description for the idiots managing ACSA. And then there is their performance bonuses....................

Martin7/8/2010 1:58 PM

I see that ACSA is blaming VIP jets for the stuff up at Durban Airport. Now that's rich! I always though it was ACSA's job to manage the airports so that flight plans, diversions, schedules and so forth were followed and carried out. They are squirming because their incompetence is there for the world to see.

Martin7/8/2010 1:55 PM

I see that ACSA is blaming VIP jets for the stuff up at Durban Airport. Now that's rich! I always though it was ACSA's job to manage the airports so that flight plans, diversions, schedules and so forth were followed and carried out. They are squirming because their incompetence is there for the world to see.

Yusuff7/8/2010 1:52 PM

Wow-so many comments! 2 Things: The new airport was supposed to be bigger-to handle more passengers and aircraft-what a lie!; Secondly, why did they not let those aircraft land in DIA- They had busses parked at DIA which could be used to transport people to KSIA or the Stadium-Contingency planning, Durban failed

CK7/8/2010 1:51 PM

Well hellooooooooooo, have you all seen how small that airport is??? Geepers creepers it's tiny. So no wander they had to turn them back .... lol! Please, open Durban International again, this is embarrassing.

pop7/8/2010 1:50 PM

Bwahaha, and Durban wants to host the Olympics.

pop7/8/2010 1:49 PM

Bwahaha, and Durban wants to host the Olympics.

Jill7/8/2010 1:45 PM

Why are we surprised? Incompetant management who are only interested in trying to look good. A Third world country pretending they are first world and a serious flight safety hazard to passengers, crew and unneccesary pressure on ground and control personnel, it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes and management will get away with murder once again.

nats7/8/2010 1:43 PM

JUST PLAIN RIDICULOS THOSE VIPS SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE BOOT , THE FANS SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE RIGHT ,TO WATCH THAT MATCH , AFTER ALL THEY ACTUALLY PAID FOR EVERTHING FROM ACCOMODATION TO THE TICKETS ETC, OUT OF THIER OWN POCKETS ........NEED I SAY MORE

Graeme7/8/2010 1:39 PM

From all reports it would appear that these VIP aircraft were to drop off their VIP passengers and then relocate to Durban International.Once they had landed they refused to do this.My question is, what action is ACSA/ Air Traffic Control going to take against these pilots who refused to take orders from ATC and created a potentially dangerous situation.

Terry7/8/2010 1:35 PM

Was proudly South African until last night.This is so embarrissing it is not funny......

Jorgos from vanderbijlpark7/8/2010 1:34 PM

An absolute disgrace.This is exactly the propaganda we do not want to see in the overseas media.How on earth do they think they can handle the Olympics if they cannot even get this right for one medium size event.Fire the head of ACSA ; with her stupid justification of this morning on 702 ...its our African culture.Crap with the culture-wrong answer-incompetence is the right word.Fire the idiots that planned this exercise...And they say the pilots would not move their charter planes to Durban !! So who's calling the shots or was it again a few dollars in the hand of the flight controller...and u can park wher u wish !?.KAK I say, move your plane or see what a forklift can do ! A class action law suite should be brought against ACSA and they should pay up: soccer Tickets,the flight costs,and for suffering and inconvenience.Let the bastards pay up ! suppose the government will bail them out once again after they spent all the profits on football tickets for their fatcat friends and cronies....Marketing??? my arse ! I dare u to print this !.

Anna7/8/2010 1:23 PM

First we had blue light brigades on our roads, now they are pushing us around in the air too!

plenty7/8/2010 1:16 PM

Anyone know how many VIP flights there were on the ground? to create this kind of chaos? Must have been quite a few... Maybe the VIP's can get together and organize some sort of VIP - FlightPool arrangement...for the final. Might be a bit greener at the same time...

Samantha7/8/2010 1:12 PM

This is disgusting! This new DBN airport is a disaster. It is in the middle of nowhere and a waste of taxpayers money!

Sarah7/8/2010 1:08 PM

I cannot what I am reading in the comments section. This World Cup has been incredible for South Africa - we have hosted it proudly and done well - one hiccup albeit a big one and everyone who has been nagative cannot wait to put in their 2 cents worth - Yes I agree it is awful for the fans - I was at the game last night and I live 7kms away from the stadium and I leave home 4 hours before the game - in my opinion this was bad planning on the part of the fans - they should have planned to get here earlier you never know what can happen with planes. I went to a UEFA cup final in Barcelona a few years back and FYI they had the same problem - we were supposed to leave Barcelona at midnight but due to congestion were only able to fly out at 9am the next morning - no apology - no nothing we were left to sleep on the grass verge outside along with thousands of other fans so wake up and smell the coffee this thing happens everywhere - be proud of South Africa and what we have achieved !!! Bring on the Olympics 2020 I will be behind this country all the way - we have a spirit and warmth like no other and I have travelled the world !!!

Point Blank7/8/2010 1:01 PM

Excuse me? Can anyone explain why Durban is being blamed?? Is it Durban's fault? Hell no, we had nothing to do with traffic control. Let me type slowly for you brainless lot... ACSA... ACSA and ACSA. I see people saying Durban is not fit to host blah blah blah, who let these crazy people out and more importantly who let them near a computer with Internet?

Candy7/8/2010 12:59 PM

Last week everybody was saying how wonderful the world cup is going, no hitches except for the minor ones and and how proudly South African they are and now alot of people are saying that it hasn't been a success because of one incident at the durban airport, these travellers should know better than to travel at the last minute especially for such an event.

tm7/8/2010 12:50 PM

its an utter disgrace. Why were VIP jets given priority over commercial, scheduled flights? And remember its often ONE VIP per jet. These privileged few should have slotted into the existing commercial flight schedule if and when there was a slot for them to fly or made other travel arrangements. Horrifying that 100s of fans spent a fortune, came from far to see a semi of their dreams and ACSA ruined it for them. Disgusting. Heads at ACSA should roll.

Proudly SA7/8/2010 12:50 PM

ACSA, sorry to say that you have failed the test - all it takes is a single incident of mismanagement - of this proportion to tarnish the overall superb effort put into the logistics aspect of the World Cup. Right now, this new King Shaka Int Airport is really hard to justify having being built.

kevan7/8/2010 12:41 PM

This ia typical South Africa comments, this sounds like a anti city thing, the truth is Durban has done very weel just like all the other cities. This is not a Durban thing but some people with attitude who do not want to move there planes. South Africa & Durban for Olympics.

tera7/8/2010 12:19 PM

come on-man!! hurry, hurrry managrments let these people come out n bring them in at King Shaka intern. it's time for them to watch final at Soccer city. tours and our people are helping with economics to grow. why patheic......? Get your job and make move for all of us with accurate. Why olympic game here...........!!

eastern cape7/8/2010 12:16 PM

come on-man!! hurry, hurrry managrments let these people come out n bring them in at King Shaka intern. it's time for them to watch final at Soccer city. tours and our people are helping with economics to grow. why patheic......? Get your job and make move for all of us with accurate. Why olympic game here...........!!

eastern cape7/8/2010 12:15 PM

come on-man!! hurry, hurrry managrments let these people come out n bring them in at King Shaka intern. it's time for them to watch final at Soccer city. tours and our people are helping with economics to grow. why patheic......? Get your job and make move for all of us with accurate. Why olympic game here...........!!

banana republic7/8/2010 12:08 PM

VIP planes, do they care as much as the die hard soccer fans locally and internationally? I think not. And then again on sunday the N1 highway will be closed again due to VIP entourages. It sad if these 700 passengers are not compensated, making all the triumph of the world cup in vain. If the proper authorities do not compensate these people for their blunders, I pray we DO NOT GET THE OLYMPICS in 2020

ftrank7/8/2010 12:07 PM

It should be made public who the VIP are... who had temporary landing there and refused to move the "executive jets" on to Durban international as arranged to allow further parking for the scheduled flight , ..................point being F.......k the vip, what gives them the right to jepodise joe publics right to see the game because as usual they think they can enforce the rule of law as they do with the blue light brigade

ftrank7/8/2010 12:00 PM

It should be made public who the VIP are... who had temporary landing there and refused to move the "executive jets" on to Durban international as arranged to allow further parking for the scheduled flight , ..................point being F.......k the vip, what gives them the right to jepodise joe publics right to see the game because as usual they think they can enforce the rule of law as they do with the blue light brigade

Tired7/8/2010 11:46 AM

What do you mean typical. You people need to wake up and face reality. You are so nagative about this country as if you were not born here. All you looking for are faults so that you can point fingers. How typical it is that South Africa (Africa) has successfully hosted the biggest event in the world? Shame on you

Michelle7/8/2010 11:43 AM

Sincerely hope that the fans get reimbursed by 'somebody'. And they think they're a suitable city to host the Olympics - after this fiasco, I think not!!

Toolman7/8/2010 11:43 AM

Who the hell waits till the last moment to fly in. That is utter stupidity. Get there early to avoid dissapointment.

Wessel7/8/2010 11:36 AM

This is one event at one stadium, but already they say Durban can host the olympics.

Phathutshedzo7/8/2010 11:32 AM

Next you must fly well in advance, dont wait for the 11th hour. Idiots!!

dale7/8/2010 11:28 AM

Thanks ACSA u fkn idiots.

DeonL7/8/2010 11:26 AM

Bad Planning! They have known about this for a few years, why did Fifa's VIP's got priority above soccer fans!

Lorenz7/8/2010 11:23 AM

The Managment of the new Airport must be fired for total dis -organisation,no advance planning,nore any hindsight for a major sporting event.The International Media will make a major story out of the event and the image of our beloved country wil again be placed in a extreme bad light.

Lin7/8/2010 11:23 AM

And South Africa confirmed they were "ready" for the WCS ?????? instead it's a case of WTF ??????

Imran7/8/2010 11:23 AM

Why not let the extra planes park at the old airport? Those fans should sue!

Lin7/8/2010 11:22 AM

And South Africa confirmed they were "ready" for the WCS ?????? instead it's a case of WTF ??????

NF7/8/2010 11:19 AM

Arogant government officials and their VIP cronies and their private jets.

yousuf7/8/2010 11:14 AM

this is unacceptable and the reasons provided can make those affected even more infuriated. What a pathetic reason and the wording smacks of "its not my problem" I hope those responsible are severly dealt wit and the victims of this fiasco are recompensated

lloyd7/8/2010 11:13 AM

this means that the airports company lost control of the skies. The ceo needs to be reprimanded and the company has to reimburse the airlines so that passengers can be compensated. More seriously is the lapse in control and risk to airsafety

Graham7/8/2010 11:09 AM

Can you credit the idiots who turn away large commercial jets full of football fans in order to accommodate small jets with a couple of celebrities on board. Great work ACSA !!

Graham7/8/2010 11:08 AM

Can you credit the idiots who turn away large commercial jets full of football fans in order to accommodate small jets with a couple of celebrities on board. Great work ACSA !!

MJK7/8/2010 11:07 AM

I Think the airport did well to during this challenge, Looking at the magnitude of the match, no other airport in south africa would have been able to manage it, not cape town or johannesburg. GO Durban GO

rashid mayet7/8/2010 11:06 AM

how easy for Colin Naidoo to say that Acsa decided to close the airport,because of congestion.This was not the case as Bongani the General Manager of Acsa on Radio this morning admitted that VIP aircrafts refused to move from KSIA to Durban Int Airport.Acsa must compensate these passengers to the fullest as we already are looking like a bunch of amateurs.We are saying we are ready for the Olympics,but not if ACSA behaves like this.We will have total chaos at our Airports,because The Olympics is THE BIGGEST SPORTING SPECTACLE IN THE WORLD. I as a Travel Agent sincelry apologise to the tourists/soccer spectators for the shortcomins of Acsa.What has happened i can not undo.I can only appeal to the Higher Authoroties to take Action that this will never happen again. .

Eish7/8/2010 11:04 AM

So, do planes just suddenly arrive??? Or isn't this scheduled in advance so you would know how many to accomodate? Very poor planning indeed by the airport! And a huge embarrasment that undos all the ra-ra that went into building this airport.

rashid mayet7/8/2010 11:03 AM

how easy for Colin Naidoo to say that Acsa decided to close the airport,because of congestion.This was not the case as Bongani the General Manager of Acsa on Radio this morning admitted that VIP aircrafts refused to move from KSIA to Durban Int Airport.Acsa must compensate these passengers to the fullest as we already are looking like a bunch of amateurs.We are saying we are ready for the Olympics,but not if ACSA behaves like this.We will have total chaos at our Airports,because The Olympics is THE BIGGEST SPORTING SPECTACLE IN THE WORLD. I as a Travel Agent sincelry apologise to the tourists/soccer spectators for the shortcomins of Acsa.What has happened i can not undo.I can only appeal to the Higher Authoroties to take Action that this will never happen again. .

Anti7/8/2010 11:00 AM

.... and there's why you should never give a world cup semi-final to a little surfer village. There's no chance they'll host the Olympic games now. Poor show Durban!

LEON7/8/2010 10:55 AM

This is unacceptable for a new airport that should have known about the increased air traffic. I was on the Kulula flight that got turned back to Jhb halfway to Durban and I had all my friends match tickets. That is R 42000 down the drain with no one accepting any responsibility. the german guy sitting next to me said he had a wonderfull time in SA but this took away evrything and he would rather be mugged than miss the game....Their best excuse was that it was due to unforseen circumstances. WTF??? Did no one tell them about the world cup??

John7/8/2010 10:52 AM

Once again ACSA stuffs up. What a disgrace to the country. I would be interested to know if senior ACSA staff were on the private charter aircraft that refused to move.

rashid mayet7/8/2010 10:47 AM

how easy for Colin Naidoo to say that Acsa decided to close the airport,because of congestion.This was not the case as Bongani the General Manager of Acsa on Radio this morning admitted that VIP aircrafts refused to move from KSIA to Durban Int Airport.Acsa must compensate these passengers to the fullest as we already are looking like a bunch of amateurs.We are saying we are ready for the Olympics,but not if ACSA behaves like this.We will have total chaos at our Airports,because The Olympics is THE BIGGEST SPORTING SPECTACLE IN THE WORLD. I as a Travel Agent sincelry apologise to the tourists/soccer spectators for the shortcomins of Acsa.What has happened i can not undo.I can only appeal to the Higher Authoroties to take Action that this will never happen again. .

Sharon (in Avaition)7/8/2010 10:45 AM

Its not the airports faults, blame the system and processes they put in place for the SWC (like the slots, which some people doesnt adhere to).

Justin7/8/2010 10:45 AM

First of all, you battle like hell to get a flight, and then you get this?!? The people who booked tickets with the airlines didn't schedule the flights themselves, and had to make do with the available flights. Don't blame the number of supporters, blame bad planning and management!! It's disgusting actually. I agree, the travellers should be reimbursed accordingly.

Richard7/8/2010 10:41 AM

This new airport was hastily built specifically in time for the World Cup, it is an absolute disgrace that ACSA, who kept boasting about how "world class" it is, has let down hundreds of International fans. A most pathetic excuse from ACSA and an embarrassment for Durban!

Jannie7/8/2010 10:35 AM

Whoever arranged these flights should have applied for landing slots and filed flights plans long before trying to land at Durban. Airports do not operate like car parking lots at shopping centres. Somebody screwed up somewhere.

Mike7/8/2010 10:21 AM

And I quote Mr Colin Naidoo's statement that he made, reported on this web site at 15h04.... "We have not been caught off-guard by this big number of planes. We expected it, because Germany and Spain have a big following. We planned for the game properly," he said. "The airport has been very successful in terms of organisation and the number of people who have used it." Take a bow Mr Naidoo.

K17/8/2010 10:20 AM

This is EXACTLY the kind of cock-up planning that the nay-sayers of the SWC were talking about prior to the cup taking place. How can you have a SWC and not PLAN enough ******* slots at a brand new airport....? Come on man!!!

chantal7/8/2010 10:17 AM

The old airport should have been used by smaller planes for the duration of the world cup.

Alan7/8/2010 10:16 AM

In the interests of the country there should be generous compensation for those affected. Come on ACSA and FIFA, this is a once off, don't worry about precedence setting, legal liabilites etc. Make a plan and get these affected people to the finals or something equivalent. Cover yourselves legally if you must, but this is not acceptable. Our image is at stake.

Josie7/8/2010 10:12 AM

Our country has been gearing up for 4 years for the Soccer world cup and King shaka airport would have know in advance how many aircraft were coming in how could they let this happen and have hundreds of disappointed fans who have paid a fortune to get here and for their tickets and accommodation for the games - bad bad planning on the part of ACSA!!

mike7/8/2010 10:06 AM

As a South African I am deeply deeply embarassed and ashamed of our country. For all of the accolades and premature kudos that SA awarded itself for being the 2nd best organisers of a World Cup... take a bow SA, you've just been demoted to the bottom of the list for a monumental %$#K-up. This tournament has now become a 40billion screw-up. Three plane loads of disgruntled fans can make an awful lot of noise and this will reverberate long after the tournament has ended. Well done ACSA, I've always known what a bunch of idiots you are, now fortunately the whole frikking world is in on the secret.

Katz7/8/2010 10:03 AM

This is unacceptable! Utterly disgusting, if i was one of those people i would be FURIOUS!!!!! How could the airport have allowed this to happen??!!!!! . ACSA (Airports Company of South Africa) should be refunding people on airline tickets and match tickets. poor show guys ... poor show ....

Albert7/8/2010 10:00 AM

Sorry, no compensation tickets for these fans. They have already been given for free to government fat cats. I see reports that more than R100 million has been spent by government departments on WC tickets. I wonder how the taxpayer will benefit from this expenditure.

Mo7/8/2010 9:54 AM

Well what they dont say is that most of the planes that landed were VIP jets which refused to park elswhere thus allowing ROYALTY Privileges and leaving the loayal supporter stranded. WELL DONE ACSA for proving we are capable to handling a major event !!!

AnneR7/8/2010 9:50 AM

And Durban states that they can host an Olympic Game! Serioooooooous! Because of poor planning, those fans missed the opportunity and yes they must be compensated for their financial losses. Could the old airport not handle some of the air traffic! DISGUSTING POOR PLANNING! Congratulations Durban for the shame that you bring on the World Cup!

Sabs7/8/2010 9:50 AM

Terrible!!!

Ralph7/8/2010 9:48 AM

O Boy! Why not re-route them to other airports in the area ? Old Durban airport? I bet you the fans will not be refunded. Mr Naaido and those running the airport (including the fat cats making a bundle by moving the airport) - shame on you !!!

Kevin7/8/2010 9:48 AM

What happened to the contigency plan of parking extra planes at the old airport should they have experienced parking issues??? THIS WAS STATED BY ACSA during the buildout of the new airprot.Another BS story presumibly!!!

Freddie7/8/2010 9:47 AM

Isn't it ironic that the only host city to splash out on an unnecessary, hugly expensive, brand new airport is the only one to experience problems of this nature at it's airport? Shows this was all about small politician's ego's and had nothing to do with infrastructure requirements at all.

Matt7/8/2010 9:46 AM

Surely the powers that be would have anticipated the massive influx of passengers and therefore have made arrangements for smaller aircraft to be diverted to Virginia, and the overflow to the old international airport? I hope someone gets their pants sued off (preferably someone hot)...

Ian7/8/2010 9:45 AM

Disappointing

ridiculous7/8/2010 9:45 AM

These flights would have been scheduled. A commercial trans-national flight is not a flight of fancy. They would have been aware at Shaka of the schedule of incoming flights. This is truly gross. I heard that the apron was taken up with unscheduled flights parked out there, VIPs, and the Shaka people were reluctant to tell them to move. So much for the interface between modernity and Africa. The semi-final tickets are expensive. What's going to be done about it?

Smarty7/8/2010 9:45 AM

PATHETIC!!! I know for a fact that all flights require a flight plan to be logged as well as reservation of bays at the airport of request "BEFORE" departure! So there is no excuse whatsoever and the authorities need to take full responsibility for allowing scheduled flights to take place knowing full well that there will be insufficient capacity! I can assure you the individuals or VIP'S will be fined, so why can't the losers in this case the supporters be compensated. Classic SA!! Keep it up, all of the same and nothing changes!!

Ian7/8/2010 9:44 AM

Disappointing

Mark7/8/2010 9:36 AM

Heads need to roll, you don't get a second chance at this. You can't say sorry come back tomorrow and we will let you in for free. The game is gone, the moment is lost never to come back. You had your chance to make it work, now get out. I'm sorry, but a lot of people put hard earned cash into a once in a life time moment, and now it's gone.

henk7/8/2010 9:35 AM

And to think, mayor Obet Mlaba thinks that Durban is ready to host the olympics. Freaken clown.

JoeSoap7/8/2010 9:34 AM

That is pathetic, what if there was a genuine emergency and the plane HAD to land?? Someone's ar$e should get kicked big time for this,,, but then its a bit late now as the damage is already done,,,Maybe next time they should leave the BIG games for the BIG BOYS in GAUTENG and not to a bunch of amateurs!!!!!

Will7/8/2010 9:34 AM

and they want to bid for the 2020 Olympic games in Durban? hahaha

Point Blank7/8/2010 9:33 AM

Ah I see the intolerable moaners are here early again, what do you guys do sit and wait for a negative article so you can finally say I TOLD YOU SO in your usual monotone whine. It happens all over the world, it is a lesson, it was a number of factors. You lot think you so perfect but you simply not and neither is anyone else.

ATC7/8/2010 9:33 AM

Guess who folded under pressure? Leave this job to the professionals! And you want to bid for the Olympics! LOL

AML7/8/2010 9:31 AM

Durban wants to host Olympic games. Don't waste money even in presentation. Go Cape Town!

Richard7/8/2010 9:30 AM

Really bad and sad, and Mr Naidoo sounds as if, "you know it wasn't their fault." Shocking.... just plane useless. As they say we have the second airport... why was this not provisionally set up for the overload. POOR WORK PLANNING.

henk7/8/2010 9:30 AM

And to think, mayor Obet Mlaba thinks that Durban is ready to host the olympics. Freaken clown.

Mike7/8/2010 9:28 AM

What a disgrace.Is the real reason we just dont have eneough qualified ATC staff.

Crumb7/8/2010 9:26 AM

How the hell did ATC NOT know of the mess that was comong? SURELY flights are planned and filed LONG before? Sipho, Goodluck and Gladys incompetent as per usual!

Gaz7/8/2010 9:26 AM

Typical ACSA - haven't you ever dealt with ACSA???? Not surpised at all - and they don't actually care a sausage! There will be no compensation, a pathetic attempt at an apology and they will just move on to the next topic.......Shocking!!!!!! Imagine spending thousands of Euros to come out here to miss a game cause you can't land at a brand new airport...what a joke!

T7/8/2010 9:23 AM

Surely the air traffic is planned before the planes take off? This is a disgrace and an embarrassment to our country. BIG FAIL!

Mike7/8/2010 9:20 AM

I'm sorry for the fans who missed the game but I also question the wisdom and naiviety of the fans and tour operators who (like the motorists to the various games) who think they can rush in at the last minute and the roads/airways/parking lots will just open up to let them in at their convenience. What should the authorities have done ?? Double the size of the airport for one game for the convenience of a few fans who probably were on charter/unscheduled flights anyway.

Peter7/8/2010 9:18 AM

clearly ACSA did not plan properly, why didnt the private planes land at the old Durban airport and all commercial flights at king shaka

unbelievable7/8/2010 9:16 AM

unbelievable - surely an airport can plan ahead for scheduled flights - absolutely unbelievable.....wonder what the impact of this will be when international tv reports get hold of this and when tourists spread the word about south african transport systems....amazing

anonymous7/8/2010 9:14 AM

Welcome to S.A hey!!! Traffic everywhere,EVEN IN THE AIR

Steve7/8/2010 9:14 AM

yes this is disgusting and should not have happened. However, if I had SWC Semi-final tickets I would not have left it to the least moment to fly to DBN, I would have made sure that I was in DBN in the morning. Leaving your flight to 4pm + is always going to be a rush and the chance of things going wrong are good.

How7/8/2010 9:11 AM

Firstly - surely airports work with airlines to plan flights based on the airport's capacity before tickets are made available for sale??? Secondly - surely the airlines have to let them know what ticket sales look like so that they can prepare for the number of passengers??? Thirdly - this was a World Cup Soccer semi final, how on earth could they not expect it to be exceptionally busy???

Inez7/8/2010 9:11 AM

Why was departures also delayed?? My flight by 4 hours. If they got the departures out of there there would have been space for the arrivals!! It was extremely frustrating as everything was blamed on JHB.

Gareth7/8/2010 9:11 AM

on 702 it was announced that the problem was not air traffic congestion, but rather that VIP planes were not being forced to move to the old airport parking to make space for the ongoing arrivals. So, ACSA just let the VIP planes park and screw it up for everyone. 2 things to note here. Firstly, this just shows how slow our leaders are in coming up with alternative plans like: Arresting pilots refusing orders to move, putting 'VIP's first - i bet they didn't even pay for their match tickets, letting full plans land at the old airport to offload. secondly, this wasn't the first match played in Durban, so is it the first time this happened? oh wait, see point 1 above for a clue!

Amos7/8/2010 9:11 AM

This is stupi. This is very stupid. I fail to understand how stupid can human beings be.

patrick7/8/2010 9:11 AM

This takes care of the Durban Olympic discussion!

CJ7/8/2010 9:09 AM

This is terrible! For an "upgraded international airport" this is hilarious!!! Why no contigency plans?? this is the type of exposure that leads overseas guest to judge the whole of the country as being the same. Nope, Durban, you need to catch a siriaaaaaaas wake-up!

Sheri7/8/2010 9:08 AM

So embarassing!!!! Everything was going so well until this fiasco! I agree with Mandy - these fans should receive complimentary SWC final tickets and a free flight to JHB - why could they not have made use of both airports during the SWC to elevate the traffic congestion?

Spartan7/8/2010 9:05 AM

Well if they had not left it to the last minute they would have been able to get here, A freind om mine flew out from Munich last Friday on SAA & the plane was half empty, but no, they rather left it to the last minute, only after they were sure that SA's world cup is a "normal one" & when they were sure that their team was in the semi.

Geoff7/8/2010 9:04 AM

Ist world host country - my @ss!! It is now quite clear that Africans couldn't and shouldn't host a tea party for 2 let alone an event of this magnatude!! VIVA AFRIKA INCOMPETANCE VIVA!!

WakaWaka7/8/2010 9:04 AM

Why couldnt they land the planes at the old Durban International Airport?

R&B7/8/2010 9:03 AM

Why wasnt the old airport used for emergency landing. Bunch of idiots-that is so unfair to these people.

HC7/8/2010 9:02 AM

Absolutely disgusting! But yes, we are ready to handle the SWC.

gcr7/8/2010 9:02 AM

The LOC planned for this as a contingency at PE but no not Durban. ACSA were adamant that they would close the old south of Durban airport and not use it for "parking" as the new airport had been built to handle expected traffic in 1 years time and beyond. You have millions of people making this a successful SWC but ACSA goes and screws this all up in the blink of an eye. You are now going to have upwards of 700 people bad mouthing this SWC and sorry guys you can't hit replay to correct the situation. Really a poor show and shows ACSA can't think on its feet at all

goose7/8/2010 9:00 AM

Before any plane leaves for a destination, all permissions etc are applied for and approved as far as i am aware. To get to the airport and NOT be allowed to land is atrocious and utterly pathetic as far as ATNS and ACSA are concerned! Sorry but someone screwed up BIG TIME here!

Louis7/8/2010 8:59 AM

That is absolutely shocking!! Surely you know before hand the amount of plains to arrive at the airport on semi final day, and plan around that! All the private plains, not scheduled to land should have been directed to the other airport. Sad that that had to happen with everything going so smoothly.... All those people should be fully compensated!

Uncle Bob7/8/2010 8:59 AM

WTF! Imagine international fans having saved up for CAT1/2 tickets, your international flights, not to mention accomodation only to miss a SEMI-FINAL game! I suggest they start a CLASS-A lawsuit against the airport.

Deadman7/8/2010 8:58 AM

This is a Bad Image for Country that is Hosting a succesful soccer festival

Marlene7/8/2010 8:55 AM

This is so typical !!! Wasn't the idea to make this a better bigger airport as the old was became to small. South Africa must refund those fans their plane tickets as well as that of the match . Imagine the disapointment for those overseas visitors travelling thousands of miles to see the final.

biltongvreter7/8/2010 8:54 AM

Oeps.. planning should not start when the planes are reaching the airport..

Prema7/8/2010 8:54 AM

This was not good ,,, There should of been a back up plan Everything was going so well how could this have happened

Neil7/8/2010 8:54 AM

King Shaka has been a disaster from the start. The airlines didn't want or need it. You have to pay a toll now to get there. Your airport departure tax per passenger from other airports has gone up from R96.00 to R150.00 to pay for it. Pilots have lodged formal complaints with the Civil Aviation about it. Bad planning for the semi final. We had aircraft holding for ages and diverting even though we had confirmed arrival and departure slots. Lack of planning for parking. Enough said.

Joe7/8/2010 8:54 AM

if everyone had logged flight plans days before as they were supposed to, etc, etc, there would have been no chance of this happening. were the rules applied to everyone who flew there???

Christine7/8/2010 8:51 AM

Mr Naidoo, shame - and you had no idea that you will be swamped with flights for the semi finals? This is a disgrace - everyone involved in the planning should be fired. What a sad, sad ending to a beautiful event...

NF7/8/2010 8:51 AM

Government officials and their cronies got the landing slots in their private planes.

SoccerFever7/8/2010 8:50 AM

Bad planning....

FAIZ7/8/2010 8:49 AM

WHAT A POOR EXCUSE AFTER SPENDING SO MUCH WITH THE UPGRADE SHAME ON YOU DURBS

Johann7/8/2010 8:49 AM

Thanks ACSA - you have undone our SWC efforts and made us look like a banana republic. You have also lost Durban a shot at the Olympic Games. SHAME ON YOU!!!

Jock Bok7/8/2010 8:47 AM

I bet S'bu Ndebele will still be getting his 'crazy money' bonus for being on the LOC, despite this happening and him being Minister of Transport!!!!! I was so proud sitting here with my English friends and having to hear about this on the tv commentary, just as some spanner ran onto the field as well.....well done Durban (ahem) you made me, as an ex-Durbanite very proud!!!!....NOT

KB7/8/2010 8:47 AM

What a f*ck up by ACSA considering the enormus landing fees dey charge. Now we know for sure the new King Shaka airport was a total waste cos it still cant handle lareg volumes. Bring on the Olympics, Ja right!!

shaun7/8/2010 8:47 AM

How embarrassing!!! A first world airport with third world anticipation. Why could they have not kept durban international opened till after the world cup??? What about Virginia airport ?? Knowing the lack of accountability in our country someone is sure to avoid the chop for this muck up and get a fat cat bonus. Durban's first point of entry is a real disappointment.

Jan7/8/2010 8:45 AM

Kan nie glo dat dit kon gebeur nie. Nee wat, moenie vir die 2020 Olimpiese Spele ñ bod probeer insit nie. Dit sal nog ñ groter verleentheid wees.!!

Captain C7/8/2010 8:44 AM

Maybe FIFA should have operated the airports as well, because they are doing a stunning job at the stadiums.

tshepo with an o7/8/2010 8:42 AM

after last night this world cup has been uined i am afraid to say, ACSA and this whole vip airport story is a joke many people could not get to durban because of bad planning on behalf of the south africans i am disgusted. as a cosatu man i am disgusted in the way things were orchestrated as a south african i appologise to you bloody germans and spanish and i hope you get your money back for the joke that was pulled on you what an absolute joke and i expect heads to toll....the comment from acsa that vips come first and to hell with the rest deserves an automatic firing from your job....the tourist come first the people who payed good money come first not useless politicians so i appologise on behalf of my useless corrup people....jirre hope i dont ever have to appologise to the west ever againe....acsa you see what you make me do ???

Vaalie7/8/2010 8:41 AM

Trust Durban to mess up. The SWC was going so well until this. And Durban wants to host the Olympics! What a laugh!! The City that was best prepared, organized and professional was Cape Town followed closely by JHB.

Mike Hunt7/8/2010 8:41 AM

Gee, and things are usually so well organized in South Africa. What a surprise

cc7/8/2010 8:40 AM

I thought we were prepared for the world cup, disgusting,really.

Concerned7/8/2010 8:39 AM

Wat 'n gemors! En dan wil Durban die Olimpiese spele aanbied?

Disgusted7/8/2010 8:39 AM

Well Aikon, I think we ALL know the answer to your question. It's AGAIN a classic case of those in decision making positions ( this applies across the board in all industry ) that are placed their because of "their disadvataged past", without experience and in most cases the proper education to be able to do the job. This is the bottom line, no matter how one slices or dices it, there are just to many instances of this kind of pathtic service to the public for it just to be a once off or a coincidence. What makes matters worse is that there will be this wonderful colourful explanantion where blame and responsibilty will be shifted from pillar to post and person to person. This is what Sipho will do. He will not care does not care and continue's to proceed through life and his "high flying" job without a care in the world and will not be held accountable, as his "buddies" will protect him. So yes VERY VERY typical. As for those that missed the game, well it will takes weeks and months or if ever for them to be compensated if at all, as there will be another set of individuals with no or very limited skills having to deal with claims, It more than likely will never happen..... Oh! and I bet my comments will now be viewed as racist!! - the default phrase when something is mentioned that is not agreed or not liked. Something like this is shameful! but I guess it will fall on deaf ear's as per usual....

Jwabe7/8/2010 8:38 AM

I THINK THAT IS FLIPPEN DISGRACEFUL!!! I HIDE MY FACE IN SHAME OF MY OWN COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY BEING A NEW AIRPORT, BEING BOASTED ABOUT IN ALL ASPECTS! SIS SIS SIS!! EVERY SINGLE PERSON MUST BE RENUMERATED IN FULL, WITH PROJECTED EXPENSES AS WHAT THE AIRLINES CAUSED THE ECONOMY.

Daryl7/8/2010 8:38 AM

This is UNACCEPTABLE. every idiot and his dog KNEW in advance that there would be a considerable amount of people flocking to Durban for this match. It was common knowledge. What did ACSA think that people were gonna walk to Durban or perhaps fly on on their magic carpets?. Small aircrafts should have not landed at this airport, they should have been diverted to Virginia, this should have been arranged WELL in advance. Really guys we so close to the end and we drop the ball now?. i certainly hope that all the parties concerned are going OUT OF THEIR WAY to compensate the passengers and also do what ever it takes to make it up to them. Also, somebody needs to take accountability here! - This epic fail will no doubt effect Durban Olympic bid...

Issues7/8/2010 8:38 AM

What a pathetic excuse! Mr Naidoo, you knew the SWC would bring more people and your new airport is a disgrace! We had to fligh from this airport the day after it opened and was given the run around regarding security concerns and ended up missing our flight because of your untrained staff (We were at the airport 4 hours before our flight!)...How are you going to make this up to people that spent thousands on getting to SA and buying tickets? What a disgrace! There is NO valid excuse for this!!!!

Hendrik7/8/2010 8:36 AM

Leave it to government to plan a new airport and you end up with this. Now I hear Durban wants to host the Olympics. They will need an airport twice the size of King Shaka.

Sello7/8/2010 8:33 AM

Every plane that is allowed by air traffic control to depart from one airport, should have parking space reserved at its destination. This is just crap and shows poor preparation and ACSA's inability to deal with a huge work load. If air-traffic control refuses to give landing permission to incoming aircraft, then why give permission to the same aircrafts to depart from the other end? And what about that "old" Durban Airport, is it a white elephant already? Wast it not better to land the incoming planes there instead, as opposed to flying them back from DBN to Johannesburg when there's an empty quality airport around the corner in DBN?

HORACE7/8/2010 8:33 AM

the ceo of acsa on the radio mentioned something about the weather LIES, every flight has a flight plane & acsa were to thick to realise that there would be too many flights to handle. why did they not redirect the CELEB planes to the old airport, MAYBE these celebs were part on the govermunts pals & co corrupters

Eddie7/8/2010 8:32 AM

I cannot believe that they could'nt have used the old airport.Some spectators have travelled all over the world to watch the semi final.What a dissapointment.

Late7/8/2010 8:25 AM

Who is going to get fired over this bad bad planning! I was on the plane and turned back to JHB. Left JHB 17:55 and landed just before 24:00. WHY did thy not divert the planes to the old airport as they said before the world cup.Heads must roll. I felt embarrassed to be a South African on that flight last night.

Sies man7/8/2010 8:24 AM

Agge nee man, this is no good! How on earth could this happen? If every plane has a landing slot, surely someone could foresee that there will be a problem!? This was headline news on Sky and BBC this morning. All the good reviews and positive comments around the WC undone due to a lack of foresight? People unfortunately tend to remember the negative...

Myriam7/8/2010 8:24 AM

And Durban wants to host an Olympic's ????????????????

THE BOSS7/8/2010 8:23 AM

Eh, Yeeeeeeeeeshhhh, we want to categorically state that we deed not anticipate theeeess. We deed not consider that we have as many as 6 airports, south / north and central coast, all of different sizes. The light aircraft could have gone to the little airports. I am embarresed by the lack of foresight. ACSA are a buch of clowns !

Mani7/8/2010 8:22 AM

Why couldn't they just use the old Durban International Airport instead for the smaller planes. This is not good......and may put a damper on Durban for the Olympics....

Sultan7/8/2010 8:20 AM

Why couldn't they direct planes to the old airport. The new airport was supposed to cater for extra traffic and Durban wants to bid for the Olympics Ha Ha?

Colin J. FRYER.7/8/2010 8:20 AM

Unacceptable and it did not have to happen. ACSA would have been well aware of the plane load/frequency/flow for the entire day especially as they are the hub for the flow of fans for the semi final. We now have hundreds of unhappy fans who will castigate us for our inability to up our ante. Durban airport could have been used, planes could have been turned around ( landed, offloaded and sent onward to Dbn/Jnb/Richards Bay ) but the airlines would have been faced with an additional bill. This reeks of poor planning and inept management at a time that we cannot afford to loose the plot we have so carefully put in place to look after our visitors. Once again, the heart & soul of Africa is slain by shoddy, unacceptable and ineffective opperations at our airports. Ciao Colin J. FRYER.

STORMER7/8/2010 8:19 AM

Absolutely shocking. And this Durban disaster seems to have have caused a ripple effect. My sister sat at CT International from 4am this morning until 7.30am when they eventually boarded their flight to Jhb. Many Uruguayan fans were with her, and these poor folk have now missed their connecting flights back to South America. What did our PLANNERS expect? And best of all, the blame is being shifted...so typical it is scary.

Don7/8/2010 8:13 AM

What a joke! Why was this new airport built in the first place if it couldnt even handle the traffic? They new which flights were inbound and as it says in the article, every flight has a time slot! I would sue the airport if I was a German or Spanish supporter that missed the game, do they have any idea what those tickets cost?!! Just as we thought eveything went great with the WC, this happens....I am ashamed!

Jules7/8/2010 8:08 AM

What a sad state of affairs. Bad planning, when the airport authorities should have expected an increase in passenger traffic. Obviously there was no plan B, which one would have expected should have been at least thought about and if necessary put in place as the pressure mounted. Feeble planning at such a crucial time at the tail end of the world cup!!!!!

san7/8/2010 8:05 AM

Poor planning, this is very bad for our country. they should have had plan B which in this case would be to use both airports.

Yoyo7/8/2010 8:02 AM

This really is not acceptable. SA's done so much and the tourist were so impressed with no lions in the streets. a New airport, who was in charge of management. Disgusting!!

mark7/8/2010 7:59 AM

"we are ready for a swc in SA " . This goverment is a third rate joke and now the rest of the world can see that too .

Paul7/8/2010 7:59 AM

Hi, can you check the actual landing times with ACSA (against scheduled landing times)? You will find it is a lot more than 3 planes affected. Example - my 1time 625pm to DBN from ORT had not left by 745pm when I got off it. Based on what they told us, I think around 20 planes were affected. It is another SOE scandal

John7/8/2010 7:57 AM

As they say WELCOME TO AFRICA. Years of planning and a new airport that has been in the pipeline for over 40 years and it cannot cope with its first big test. Perhaps the trueth about this "World cup success" will eventually come out, but somehow I feel it will be coverad by many layers of pocket lining and vested interests we have to live with. Sad, so sad - its a sad sad situation......

Henry Banks7/8/2010 7:51 AM

It is really sad that these fans have lost out like that. The guys at ACSA should be held accountable. Sad thing is that these people did not only lose large sums of money, but they also missed out on an historic event.

Chris7/8/2010 7:50 AM

And ACSA said they ready for any eventuality Well done ACSA !!!

Eish7/8/2010 7:48 AM

This is sad. No contingency plans???

KNNP7/8/2010 7:29 AM

Surely they could have used the old airport as well.????

Pierre7/8/2010 7:20 AM

And who is going to refund the fans that miss their match due to the airport incompentance and its suppose to run smoothly. Just show you even a new airport can have its problems. What a disgrace for South Africa because the airport should have know and could see on the flight logs that there are thousands of fans on the way there. Let them pay boet.

Tiny7/8/2010 7:12 AM

It is not good at all!! ACSA must pay all that money back to the fans. Some of those fans use their life savings to come to SA to watch their team play in a semi SWC match, a dream come true, what a nightmare. Shame on ACSA!!!

Fan7/8/2010 7:06 AM

scheduled flights turned back and approve small unscheduled aircrafts to land. Thats what they call Airtraffic control management. what is next.....? Probably management was at the game already..This requires an investigation

Renee7/8/2010 7:03 AM

Oh dear, shall we build yet another new, bigger airport? Well, maybe it's just humility - we never thought it would come to THIS after all the naysayers had their tenpence worth.

disgusted7/8/2010 7:01 AM

Another failure, the passengers should be compensated for tickets and acomodation to the final. Sad to see the airport could not foresee this. The fans must have made huge sacrifice to be coming to support or we do not care because we were not in the finals.

Dollars7/8/2010 7:01 AM

Dollars first Rands after EEEsh From a well organised world cup to a disorganised airport Embarrasing

smiles7/8/2010 7:00 AM

Thats BEE for you! Promoted to your first level of incompetance!

Emile7/8/2010 7:00 AM

Truly pathetic and so typical SA. I hope incompetence will some day be declared a criminal act. We could do with less assholes in SA. I thought building this new airport (duplicating facilities again in close proximity to each other) would prevent over congestion during SWC. So why couldn't they have diverted all the smaller planes to Durban and only allowed big aircraft on match day. After such an excellent "first world and first class" SWC, we just had to go and stuff it all up at the end again. And they now want to host the Olympics!!!! Big laugh!!!

Dollars7/8/2010 7:00 AM

Dollars first Rands after EEEsh From a well organised world cup to a disorganised airport Embarrasing

disgusted7/8/2010 6:59 AM

Another failure, the passengers should be compensated for tickets and acomodation to the final. Sad to see the airport could not foresee this. The fans must have made huge sacrifice to be coming to support or we do not care because we were not in the finals.

Angel7/8/2010 6:58 AM

Towards the end of the famous SWC disaster struck, and that at Durbs where there was admittedly no time to do proper planning for the new airport.....stuck somewhere out of town, why not give permission for those plans to land at the old airport, this was a major event which must have cost all the fans a lot of money.

allan7/8/2010 6:56 AM

What a blight on Durban and the SWC. And they want to host the Olympics? Ha.

Henk 7/8/2010 6:54 AM

Feel it it's here !!

Keith.7/8/2010 6:53 AM

"What else did you expect,this is Africa" said Mr Naidoo spokesperson for the totally useless eejits called ACSA,world class my arse...

Perve7/8/2010 6:52 AM

WOW now this is service delivery, and at the cost that was attached to this airport, one would think that they would be able to plan properly. Surely the planes would not have been given clearance to even take off from their original airport if the flight plan and landing authorisation was not done before hand????? Would love to hear from a pilot on how these things actually work. Hope heads roll for this one, what an embarresment!

S'the7/8/2010 6:52 AM

...and the old airport which is even closer to the stadium is virtually empty, why it wasn't on standby just in case, we may never know...

Lyn7/8/2010 6:50 AM

Sad, so sad... thought we had a 1st world airport in Durban??? And the Olympics???

ajg7/8/2010 6:50 AM

this is just not acceptable all it is is very bad planning and these peolple should be compensated. it does'nt look good at all for a 7 billion rand airport. what happened to " we are ready " ?

Sean7/8/2010 6:49 AM

Cape Town had no problems as usual. Now Durban want to bid for the Olympics and they can't even get this right!

Barry Mercer7/8/2010 6:49 AM

So air traffic control do not know how many planes are scheduled to land or at what times? Major safety issue, close the airport down until a intensive investigation is completed.

MickyM7/8/2010 6:48 AM

Oh no this has just ruined the SWC for me - surely they must have known well in advance - SA lives up to it's true image yet again.... can't plan a thing and now someone else will be blamed - the fans !!!!

bob Mc Duck7/8/2010 6:47 AM

Why didn't they get staff so they could land them at the old airport? It is the world cup,they could have made a plan for a short period of time I'm sure

Helen7/8/2010 6:46 AM

Only in Africa - wake up take control we were doing sooo well now this!!! Not so Ayeba!!!

Gary7/8/2010 6:43 AM

Did someone spring this on them? Where have they been? Surely they new that this air traffic was heading their way and should have planned for it. I am not in South Africa at the moment, and have therefore missed all of the hype, but I think this is also one of the only few mess ups to have happened. Not good guys, but in general, I think SA has done very well.

Mark7/8/2010 6:42 AM

Flight plans are filed before any aircraft even leaves an airport....its not like they arrive and say "were here let us land". They would have known before hand what to expect, they are either incompetent or someone doesnt know how to count.

Sakkie7/8/2010 6:42 AM

Incompetend idiots

Pierre7/8/2010 6:41 AM

And are they not the clowns wanting to host the Olympics?

Robin 7/8/2010 6:36 AM

How can you approve flights you can't manage? How many flights were landing in an hour? Were there enough staff on duty? Were the ATC staff properly qualified? Wasn't any training done for this kind of scenario? There must be solutions to problems like these. What happen to using holding patterns? Failure is not an option. The person in charge should be fired. Is this going to happen at O.R Tambo come Sunday? JFK, Gatwick, O'Hare, Heathrow, Hong Kong has a plane landing or departing every 60 seconds. You could park them on the apron and bus passengers to gates if you needed to. You could re-direct flights to the old airport and shuttle passengers. You could use your head and not panic...

ng7/8/2010 6:27 AM

I always thought there was some kind of plan to airplanes arriving and leaving. Never realized they just "turn up" and want to land. Cannot believe the authorities had no idea that there would be extra traffic!JJQFY

JoJo7/8/2010 6:26 AM

That's simply disgusting. What about the plan to use the old airport in case something like this would happen? Someone's head must roll for this bad planning.

Christina7/8/2010 6:25 AM

I agree ! This is so typical of SA and how unorganized they can be. It's such a bad witness to international travelers. And I believe Zuma is talking about SA "is now ready to host the Olympics"? Yeah, right!

nicola7/8/2010 6:25 AM

SHOCKING and terribly terribly sad.

Hein7/8/2010 6:22 AM

We built an airport for the world cup and then ACSA gets stage fright at the semis. Thank goodness the finals are not in Durban. Please remember this incident when we tell the world we can stage world class events. NO Olympics for Durban Please

Sassy7/8/2010 6:15 AM

Pathetic :((

Johan7/8/2010 6:05 AM

And you say in the media Durban is ready to host the olympics?

C Africa7/8/2010 5:46 AM

OK so finally the wheels start coming off on our "perfect" wold cup organisation. This is utter Cr%p. Those planes could not have left Jhb or CT without a flight plan, so ATC KNEW they were on their way, turning them back is total and utter incompetence, nothing else.

Truida7/8/2010 5:33 AM

Everything went so well for the whole period of the world cup!!!!!!!! And then..... can a BRAND NEW airport not handle the traffic! What a waste of money. The old one should have been upgraded to handle the traffic. Durban airport authorities - do you honestly think those people will visit our beautiful county again? Very, very sad that a new airport drop the whole of South Africa. And the attitude! I am so mad!

Andre7/8/2010 5:26 AM

Opening the old airport for private and charter planes could have gone a long way in solving this issue. Planning and foresight is important with global events.

Lowflying7/8/2010 5:25 AM

Colin Naidoo's previous report this week tells us how prepared they were for the influx of planes and people. YES, they were prepared to organise a cock-up. You better walk crossed legged for a few days.....there are some soccer fans who would like to kick YOUR balls.

Big D7/8/2010 5:24 AM

Come on chaps, what did you really expect? Someone forgot to their homework!! This is NOT a very good example of how the situation should / could have been managed. Regettably it will leave a negative & lasting impression. The authorities are very short sighted, can you imagine shutting down a major freeway in JHB on a Wedsnesday morning to do a "dummy run" for the Final on Sunday causing total chaos for business commuters. I ask you? This is so typical of people who think they are so important. "Blessed are they who run around in circles, for they shall be big wheels!"

AJ7/8/2010 5:21 AM

Planes just dont arrive unnannounced - EVER - not commercial ones in any case. This is a lack of planning, lack of backup, lack of intelligence. How embarrassing. Are we saying we cannot land 3 scheduled commercial aircraft in a city with 2 airports capable of landing commercial domestic aircraft, and which was using just the 1 airport until a couple months ago?

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN7/8/2010 4:45 AM

That is really,a shame i feel sorry for those supporters. It must have been a huge dissappointment. However public safety comes first. Did FIFA not sign off everything saying its more than addequite. Mmmm, or maybe uncle Seth was to busy wheeling and dealing, and when he saw how much money he was going to make he let some things slip. Everything else had been going according to plan, maybe the people should have anticipated it being busy and booked better in advance, or was it just spur of the moment passengers? Its FIFA's responsibility to ensure that all their supporters get to where they need to go, they have had years of practice at this. I do agree those people should get complimentary tickets from FIFA. But Glitches and all we have far exceeded the WORLDS expectations, well done South Africa

Peter7/8/2010 4:39 AM

And Durban is so ready for the Olympics..... have it with pleasure and let your ratepayers pay as you wil"reap the benifts" and not the rest of the country.

Cire7/8/2010 3:32 AM

And this is surprising .... ?

pete7/8/2010 2:59 AM

It may not be good, but it is always safety first in air traffic control. You cannot design an airport for such rare extremes, you design for norms and fair levels of peaks and troughs.

Lee7/8/2010 2:38 AM

How it is possible that airport management did not know how many flights to expect during the course of the day? Surely planes don't just arrive in the sky above the airport without the airport having prior knowledge of an incoming flight. It's reasonable to assume that if you're managing an airport that your numeracy skills include the capacity to count the number of incoming flights and then calculate whether you have enough space to park the aircraft. You don't wait for a traffic jam in the sky above you and then suddenly realise you've run out of parking bays. WTF? This is just unacceptable and horribly embarrassing for the country.

Hennie7/8/2010 2:32 AM

...and the final? will the Manora Blades do some planning after this?

Lee7/8/2010 2:32 AM

How it is possible that airport management did not know how many flights to expect during the course of the day? Surely planes don't just arrive in the sky above the airport without the airport having prior knowledge of an incoming flight. It's reasonable to assume that if you're managing an airport that your numeracy skills include the capacity to count the number of incoming flights and then calculate whether you have enough space to park the aircraft. You don't wait for a traffic jam in the sky above you and then suddenly realise you've run out of parking bays. WTF? This is just unacceptable and horribly embarrassing for the country.

Johannes7/8/2010 2:14 AM

This happen anywhere in the world - just back from Charles de Gaul Airport where all flights were on hold for 4 hours due to air congestion. Blame the airlines that over book the number of flights!

S7/8/2010 2:10 AM

I don't quite believe the story... just another "excuse" for why there were empty seats at a Fifa World Cup semi final?? Blame it on the traffic as usual, lol.

Amazed7/8/2010 2:00 AM

Maybe they should have used the R3m spend on King Shakas statue on hiring more competent staff!

meboni7/8/2010 1:38 AM

This is a really poor reflection of SA's organisational capabilities after what was turning out to be a good WC. Imagine how those fans felt after not being able to watch the game ! What exactly went wrong with the airport planning ? People should answer for this.

Pops7/8/2010 1:12 AM

Hang on, you only take off if you have a flight plan which includes getting landing permission does it not? If permissions were received then why the change of mind?

SteveH7/8/2010 1:00 AM

iol.com says 4 planes from JHB and 1 from CT with supporters late and they then got a police escort to the stadium? this article says the planes were turned back? surly the old airport could have handled them Not enough gates ? at King Sharks? and in the same breath iol.com have article "Durban ready to handel the Olimpics" non scheduled flights would have all been 'smaller aircraft'

Spha7/8/2010 12:41 AM

no but this really unfair, incompetent and dismisses/dinimishes any chance south africa had of re-hosting or hostin an event of this calibre in the future... this is a serious let down and i hope our organising committee realises this and can kick themselves for this for life. serious, serious serious screw up. AS A SOUTH AFRICAN I AM NOT IMPRESSED. AT ALL

durbanite7/8/2010 12:37 AM

this is not a good feeling. the governmnet should buy tickets for the finals for fans on the flights who can produce semi-final tickets and compensate them for unused semi-final tickets. it the african and south african thing to do

Sports fan7/8/2010 12:23 AM

Planning adequate? Not a good message we're sending out to the rest of the world.

SimonP7/8/2010 12:21 AM

Another tick for SA. Surely the old airport could have been utilised. Why cat SA seem to get its act together? Its not like the planes appeared from nowhere.

KanaMay7/8/2010 12:19 AM

Bigger jets, which usually have regular flight schedule, should have been given the priority to land. Smaller charter planes can be diverted to smaller, domestic airports. Or were there VIP customers who insisted on priority landing?

Robbie7/8/2010 12:09 AM

So whats your grand idea for a contingency plan Mandy????? Too many planes is too many - its not difficult to understand....

surprised7/8/2010 12:07 AM

weren't this the main reason for closing the old airport and moving to the new, bigger and modern airport to allow for increased demand? If I remember correctly it was said that the new king shaka will be able to handle all traffic until about 2030? It would appear that somehow someone might have made a mistake since it would appear that the capacity has been reached after 2 months?

Molefe7/8/2010 12:02 AM

Shocking! Absolutely not acceptable! ACSA must be made to reimburse these people! I mean FFS! Divert to the old airport? I am sure that nobody would have minded using the old facilities! At least it would have meant that they would not have wasted their time! ACSA must be held responsable!

Obvious7/8/2010 12:02 AM

2 airports & they failed...

whips excite me7/7/2010 11:57 PM

They were so busy patting themselves on the back for a job well done - they forgot that the job ain't over. This is BAD!!!!

Mmmm7/7/2010 11:54 PM

I heard rumours that Durban wants to host the Olympics... I wonder how that is going to work out if they can't even handle this.

Desert Sky7/7/2010 11:33 PM

ACSA manager-"What are we gonna do if there are more flights than expected?" ACSA CEO-"Err...nothing."

slg7/7/2010 11:32 PM

Awful! We've let our visitors down. We owe them. How do we plan to repay them?

Peter7/7/2010 11:26 PM

I am APPALLED by the incompetence. They were asked to handle a fraction of the flights normally handled by International Airports, and FAILED.

cheese7/7/2010 11:26 PM

this is just NOT on! Fire the ACSA people starting with the chairman for this debacle and embarrassing South Africa!!!

Proffie7/7/2010 11:23 PM

ACSA should be ashamed of themselves. Whats wrong with using the old airport? If its good enough to park teh planes there, its also good enough for passengers to disembark there. 0/10 for ACSA.

md7/7/2010 11:23 PM

this is not on you could have had the planes circle or land and park at your so called new spacious airport until a bay was available somebodys head should roll for this it was not a matter beyound human controll & out of so many flights you could not handle this last 3 flights

"Devils Advocate"7/7/2010 11:22 PM

Airport Managers Problem..been wating for this to happen! Not surprised!

Tommo7/7/2010 11:20 PM

fifa fup,not surprising never expected that yeah right!have their money no get out of our country.

Tony Miller7/7/2010 11:17 PM

Why not let these aircraft land and the old airport & ferry the fans to a central point. Come on use the gray matter.......and they want an increase....

JJ7/7/2010 11:12 PM

Totally, totally unacceptable, no excuses, we knew the semi's would be in Durban for the last 8 years, we even boasted about the new King Chaka airport!! The first bit of pressure and Africa buckle.

Me7/7/2010 11:12 PM

If it had happened yesterday at Cape Town, I would have thought that's a F up, one airport undersized... But Durban has got 2 (old and new) airports, surely they can handle twice the amount of passenger and planes! So this is a double big F up!

Leon C Ferris7/7/2010 11:11 PM

I AGREE with your comments guys... THAT IS REALLY BADDDDD! Imagine the money these people spent to be here! horrible stuff for a NEW world class airport :-(((((

Danie7/7/2010 11:10 PM

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! And then Durban wants to host the olympic games in 2020. ARE YOU JOKING!!!!

Rachel7/7/2010 11:06 PM

Wait, and the Durban mayor thinks his city will be able to successfully host the Olympics? Wow... that is totally unacceptable. I also hope the fans are compensated for both the wasted airline tickets and the match tickets.

Victor7/7/2010 11:04 PM

They want the Olympics. Give it to Cape Town

bennie7/7/2010 11:02 PM

Surely one should plan what you can handle and not "overbook" your airport- this is a disgrace on an otherwise very good WCup in SA - fire the airport management

Stacy7/7/2010 11:01 PM

Is a fricking digrace, how bad does that make SA look for this and just today they were speaking about Durban hosting olmpic games, you fricking clowns..

Tommo7/7/2010 11:01 PM

fifa fup,not surprising never expected that yeah right!have their money no get out of our country.

Noddy7/7/2010 10:59 PM

They actually have two perfectly good airports. I think they wanted the VIP's (and their charter planes) to go through the new airport, causing double traffic when these planes were moved to the old airport.

nico7/7/2010 10:58 PM

It was not only from Johannesburg and Cape Town but from Bloemfontein to, we were supposed to catch the 18H00 flight from Bloemfontein to Durban but it was delayed two hours. I lost over R8000 over this but not even one sorry from south african airways, I am disgusted, I am a proudly south african citizen but this is a embarrasment, they said it was the traffic controllers fault at King Shaka International, wheres my dream semi final SAA I want my dream back, as advertised once in a lifetime and you F***ED it up, the money is nothing but the dream is gone, F****k you SAA

Didier7/7/2010 10:57 PM

Sorry to hear that :( But i hope they get other free plane ticket & Ticket for Final

19th Hole7/7/2010 10:56 PM

Un-real...un-bloody-real! I would have been friggin livid.....

GT7/7/2010 10:55 PM

Charlie Foxtrot - google it no apology just a bureaucratic answer. No doubt the airlines and charters will be refunding the 450 x R4000 in tickets

Yaku7/7/2010 10:55 PM

Shocking! Have two friends that lost R20 000 in the sky while game was on....not to even mention the people from overseas!!! Durbs to host olympics, NOT!

Drew7/7/2010 10:50 PM

And this is the new airport...that's really, really sad.

Mandy7/7/2010 10:43 PM

That is disgusting! Those fans should all be compensated with tickets to the finals. So typical, surely the appropriate authorities should have had a contingency plan and made allowances for the extra traffic?

Aikon7/7/2010 10:36 PM

No no no this is not good. How the hell could they not prepare as they should have know that this might happen. Sipho what did you do?