George Airport has secured a major international safety endorsement after earning the Airports Council International (ACI) Public Health and Safety Readiness Accreditation, a move expected to boost traveller confidence in the Garden Route, reports Oudtshoorn Courant

The accolade, awarded to Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), confirms that the airport meets strict global standards for managing public health risks, from daily hygiene practices to emergency preparedness. 

King Phalo Airport in the Eastern Cape has also received the recognition, bringing the total number of Acsa-accredited airports to six.

The ACI accreditation is regarded as a rigorous global benchmark that assesses an airport’s ability to manage public health risks and respond effectively to potential crises. 

With this recognition, George Airport has demonstrated its readiness to protect passengers through strong, industry-aligned health and safety protocols.

The achievement follows the successful re-certification of Acsa’s four major international hubs, which have retained their status since 2024: OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.

Acsa has outlined plans to extend the accreditation across its entire airport network. The next phase will focus on securing certification for the remaining three airports during the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years. 

This forms part of Acsa’s broader Vision 2029 strategy, aimed at ensuring full compliance with international health and safety standards across all operations by the 2028/29 financial year.

Acsa acting group executive for operations management Fani Mphaphuli said the milestone reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to passenger safety.

“The accreditation of these additional airports reflects Acsa’s unwavering commitment to health and safety excellence across our entire network, regardless of an airport’s size or traffic volume,” he said.

“I commend the teams at George and King Phalo for their dedication. Our priority remains the well-being of our passengers, ensuring that every facility under our care is a safe and resilient gateway for travel,” added Mphaphuli.

The ACI Public Health and Safety Readiness Accreditation provides an independent assessment of airport health management systems, evaluating measures ranging from sanitation and hygiene protocols to emergency preparedness and response plans.

By following these international best practices, Acsa aims to build passenger confidence and keep South Africa’s airports safe and reliable gateways for domestic and international travel.

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