Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has taken a decision to cut boarding calls at six of its regional airports effective from 01 July 2018.

According to ACSA public address microphones will be switched off at domestic departure terminals and gates at the Port Elizabeth International Airport, Bram Fischer International Airport, East London Airport, George Airport, Upington International Airport and Kimberley Airport in an effort to reduce noise levels at the airports.

The only instances where centralised terminal announcements will be made will be for irregular operations such as gate changes, flight time changes, security matters, system failures and customer service anomalies such as lost minors.

Senzeni Ndebele, Airports Company South Africa Corporate Affairs Manager Senior Manager responsible for Regional Airports, says he believes this is an important step in the company’s continued effort to improve the customer service experience of passengers at regional airports.

“This is in line with international best practice where airports have adopted a ‘silent airport’ policy to improve airport ambience”.

ACSA’s decision follows the implementation of noise reduction measures at other airports in South Africa in the last year after the company noted complaints about noise levels in its independent customer surveys.