Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has entered a sister airport agreement with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
This airport located in the state of Georgia in the United States is also listed as the busiest international airport in the world – based on passenger traffic data for 2023.
Therefore, it is likely to be a beneficial model for other airports to model their operations off.
SISTER AIRPORT COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have indeed signed a sister airport cooperation agreement that aims to promote business and trade between South Africa and the United States of America.
Signed on the sidelines of the Airports International Council (ACI) World’s Customer Experience Summit in Atlanta, Georgia on 27 September 2024, the agreement will further promote collaboration in operational best practices, cargo operations, and passenger services.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu described the agreement as a blueprint for a strategic alliance to foster collaboration, growth, and excellence.
“This agreement is a strategic partnership forged in the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. It will pave the way for new opportunities, greater connectivity, and mutual growth,” she said.
FOCUS AREAS
ACSA intends to establish a new cargo facility at Johannesburg Airport. The new cargo facility is indeed part of ACSA’s Capex projects.
The company plans to use Atlanta as a strategic gateway into North America for cargo operations.
“One of our most critical focus areas will be air cargo development between Southern Africa and North America, using Atlanta as a strategic gateway. We have allocated over 330 million dollars in Capital Expenditure in the next 8 years for construction of a Cargo Terminal at O.R Tambo International Airport/Johannesburg in the City of Ekurhuleni. This strategic infrastructure goes beyond just moving goods, but connecting continents, fostering trade, and driving economic growth,” Mpofu added.
DELTA AIRLINES
There are direct daily flights between South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, operated by US-based Delta Airlines.
In fact, the airline also operates flights from Atlanta to Cape Town International Airport three times a week.
“This is a testament to Atlanta’s commitment to our region and the significant role our air transport system plays as a gateway into Southern Africa and North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” Mpofu said.
ACSA PURSUES PARTNERSHIPS
As part of its Innovate, Grow and Sustain Strategy, ACSA is pursuing global strategic partnerships that aim to cultivate continuous improvement and competitiveness.
In this regard, ACSA is also leveraging relationships built on two other sister airport agreements concluded with Munich Airport (Germany) and Airports of Thailand (AOT).
ALSO READ: Lufthansa operates inaugural Munich Johannesburg flights
MEDIA STATEMENT
— Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) October 1, 2024
To: All media
Date: 30 September 2024
ACSA SIGNS SISTER AIRPORT AGREEMENT WITH ATLANTA HARTSFIELD-JACKSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and Hartsfield-Jackson @ATLairport have signed a Sister Airport Cooperation Agreement that seeks… pic.twitter.com/Z77Ib9h8lh
