With a move that sends out a strong message to promote enhanced aviation security in one of the busiest air transport systems in Africa, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has authorised the immediate replacement of four critical Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) machines at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports. The action – applauded by Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS) – has taken place at an important time for global aviation security as passenger traffic intensifies and threats on the continent evolve.
Legal battle puts Security under the spotlight
The SACAA ruling follows a lengthy court battle that has placed the security risks involved with ageing aviation infrastructure in the spotlight. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has tried to insource the HBS function since 2023 as part of a R3.15 billion tender. The action was opposed by airlines and ACS, which has been running screening services for decades. At the heart of the courtroom battle is a very basic issue: who, in the context of South Africa’s Technical Standards (CATS) and Civil Aviation Regulations (CARS), has the statutory responsibility to screen checked bags?
For ACS and the world’s airline sector, the stakes could not be higher. HBS units are an early warning system, detecting explosives, weapons, and prohibited articles in checked bags. Globally, these units are pivotal to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliance for air security. Any disruption in screening operations can ripple through the highly networked global air system – placing lives at risk and disrupting economic balance.
Aging equipment and Regional parallels
In South Africa, the need for this upgrade cannot be overemphasized. OR Tambo Airport alone handles over 21 million travelers annually, making it one of the most congested airports in Africa and a juncture of importance in intercontinental air travel. The loss of support by manufacturers for outdated HBS units created a security gap that could have put travelers at unacceptable risk. High Court’s November 2024 ruling to let ACS pursue replacements was regarded as pivotal in safeguarding the traveling public.
“We applaud SACAA’s acknowledgment of the need to replace old HBS equipment in order to provide seamless security operations at airports,” stated Duke Phahla, ACS CEO.
“We have held from the start that passenger safety and continuity should take precedence, and this move evidences that shared concern.”
Regional comparisons: A common challenge
The experience of South Africa is similar to that of other large African hubs. Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has just been in the news for outdated screening equipment, amidst calls for upgrades to enable it to keep up with ICAO and European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) standards. Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) has similarly battled to upgrade screening facilities, especially with Lagos working to become West Africa’s top gateway.
In Ethiopia, the fastest-growing African hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, has invested heavily to upgrade its screening in order to remain a regional transit hub. South Africa, meanwhile, has been held back by a protracted legal process, which underlines the need for regulatory uniformity and collaborative solutions for aviation security.
Security, not Bureaucracy, must come first
As South Africa’s legal process unfolds, SACAA’s green light assurance promises four key Level 3 HBS units – featuring top-of-the-line 3D imaging and enhanced threat detection – will be replaced immediately. This brings South Africa closer to best international practice and cements its status as a strategic aviation gateway for southern Africa.
“Throughout the legal process, our attention stays centered on providing uninterrupted, world-class baggage screening services to passengers and airlines,” Phahla underscored.
“We are committed to continuing to work collaboratively with ACSA, SACAA and all stakeholders to maintain operational integrity and protect aviation security standards.”
Implications for the Continent’s Aviation future
For ProtectionWeb readers across Africa and beyond, the lessons are clear. As IATA forecasts African air passenger growth of 5.7% annually over the next two decades, security systems must keep pace with the growing threat landscape and passenger demand. Africa’s aviation renaissance – driven by economic growth and regional integration – hinges on secure, efficient airport operations.
By securing the approval of SACAA and moving quickly to retire aging HBS units, South Africa is setting the continent an example: security decisions must be risk analysis- and regulation-guided, not business or political maneuvering. The replacement program, which was begun under the tight control of SACAA, underscores the requirement to align security infrastructure upgrade to ICAO’s Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP) priorities.
A Global message
In an age of escalating geopolitics tensions and increasingly sophisticated aviation security threats, South Africa’s decisive response sends a powerful message to the world: aviation security is no simply local or domestic concern – it’s a global imperative. As ACS begins installing new HBS units, the bigger lesson is one of unwavering commitment to safety, operational flexibility, and global standards.
Expanded historical timeline: South Africa’s airport security evolution
• Pre-1990s: Basic Screening Measures
In the apartheid era, South African airports utilised largely basic physical screening measures. Physical searches and metal detectors were the norm, with minimal global cooperation and advanced security technology.
• 1990s: Evolution and modernisation
When apartheid declined and South Africa opened up again to the international community, the aviation sector experienced thorough reforms. Airports began implementing more sophisticated screening equipment, with reference to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) specifications. The establishment of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) in 1993 introduced airports to expert management and began laying foundations for improved security measures.
• Early 2000s: Post-9/11 reforms
The 11th September 2001 events triggered a paradigm shift in global security. South African airport Passenger and Baggage Screening was enhanced to comply with tougher ICAO and International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) systems were introduced for automation of explosive and other prohibited items scanning in checked bags.
•2010 FIFA World Cup: Substantial infrastructure investments
In preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa also invested in airport security and infrastructure. OR Tambo, King Shaka, and Cape Town International Airports all underwent expansions, including the introduction of state-of-the-art HBS systems and advanced surveillance systems. These investments profoundly raised South Africa’s security profile and new levels for African aviation.
• 2010s: Consolidation and compliance
In the 2010s, South African air security focus was on consolidating these gains. This included the integration of multi-level HBS systems and streamlining security procedures to address evolving ICAO Annex 17 standards. ACSA and ACS worked together to remain abreast of regulatory demands and deliver consistent screening services to an annual three million passengers.
• 2020 Onwards: Evolving threats and judicial conflicts
As threats have occurred worldwide, so too have the needs for the security apparatus of South Africa’s aviation. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for adaptable security that absorbs health and safety requirements. A legal fight over responsibility for HBS operations since 2023 has again put regulatory openness and the need for upgraded equipment on the agenda to prevent holes in security.
• 2024 – 2025: SACAA’s decisive action
The High Court’s November 2024 endorsement of ACS to replace the HBS units of a generation – supported by SACAA’s subsequent green light – is a new milestone on this timeline. It marks the return to firm, risk-based security practices and solidifies South Africa’s leadership role in aviation security within the region.
