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 The loss of support by manufacturers for outdated HBS units created a security gap that could have put travelers at unacceptable risk.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 Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has just been in the news for outdated screening equipment, amidst calls for upgrades to enable it to keep up with ICAO and European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) standards.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.

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At the University of Cape Town, Dr Arnold Pretorius leads a team that exemplifies the spirit of innovation driving this transformation. His MechatronicSystems.Group (MS.G), though established only a few years ago, is already conducting pioneering research in drone design and applications. One of their most ambitious projects involves a drone capable of autonomously landing on a moving ship in rough seas, a feat that demands unparalleled precision in computer vision and control systems. Another innovation is their robust eight-propeller drone, specially designed to operate in extreme weather conditions, making it ideal for search-and-rescue missions or fire monitoring.

These are not just theoretical concepts; the focus on practical solutions from the team extends into exciting future projects, including a hybrid drone that seamlessly makes the transition from hovering like a quad copter to gliding like a fixed-wing aircraft. This combination boosts range and energy efficiency, addressing one of the main limitations of traditional drones. What’s more, they’re laying the groundwork for swarms of drones: that is, cooperative systems comprising several drones working together on tasks of great complexity. For instance, in operations searching for victims or hazards, speed can be considerably increased in extensive areas.

Shifting regulations

However, the development of such technologies is not a challenge that is purely engineering in nature but also somewhat regulatory. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has already made efforts to update its framework to include new drone technologies. The introduction of updated regulations, accommodating drone swarms and autonomous systems, has been a key step in this direction. But, as Sisa Majola, manager of Communications at the SACAA, points out, what the drone industry refers to as “autonomous” is better described by the regulator as “highly automated”. The distinction underlines human oversight over all operations of drones for safety in shared airspace.

Majola further highlights South Africa’s global leadership in shaping unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) regulations. By participating in international forums such as JARUS, South Africa is helping to establish best practices for integrating drones into civilian airspace. Moreover, SACAA’s on-going efforts to create drone testing corridors and sandboxes are fostering an environment where innovators can experiment with new ideas without jeopardising safety. These initiatives are crucial as the country seeks to balance the demands of rapid technological advancement with the imperative of public safety.

Drones and healthcare

Meanwhile, drones are revolutionising how South Africans approach healthcare in regions where traditional infrastructure is limited or non-existent. In remote and mountainous areas, where roads are unreliable or impassable, drones are bridging gaps in medical supply chains. VillageReach’s Drones for Health program has demonstrated the transformative potential of this technology in neighbouring countries.

Dr Olivier Defawe, who oversees the programme, explains how drones have already improved access to vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic samples in countries like Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The drones used in these programmes are capable of carrying small payloads over distances exceeding 100 kilometres, reducing delivery times from days to hours. By 2025, VillageReach aims to connect 400 health facilities using medical drones, improving healthcare for over four million people. The initiative also addresses broader challenges, such as training a new workforce of drone operators and developing localized infrastructure like solar-powered charging stations.

However, technical and regulatory hurdles remain. Battery life and payload capacity limit the range of current drones, while inconsistent regulations across African nations create operational uncertainty. In South Africa, progress is being made as local start-ups collaborate with international organisations to overcome these obstacles. By sourcing materials locally and training South African operators, these companies not only lower costs but also empower communities, making drone technology more accessible and sustainable.

Environmental applications

Drones are also transforming environmental monitoring, a critical issue for a country rich in biodiversity and natural resources. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is spearheading efforts to integrate drones into its Earth Observation programme, which traditionally relies on satellite data. By equipping drones with hyper spectral imaging and AI-powered sensors, SANSA is enhancing its ability to monitor ecosystems in real-time.

For instance, drones can detect harmful algal blooms in coastal waters, track illegal mining activities, or assess the health of forests with a level of detail that satellites alone cannot achieve. During disasters such as floods or wildfires, drones offer rapid-response capabilities, mapping affected areas and guiding rescue efforts. Dr Lerato Shikwambana, SANSA’s Senior Scientist: Global Climate Change, envisions a future where drones are seamlessly integrated into digital decision-support systems, providing actionable insights for urban planning, agriculture, and conservation.

In the realm of wildlife protection, drones are emerging as indispensable tools for conservationists. South Africa’s iconic landscapes are home to endangered species like rhinos and elephants, making anti-poaching efforts a national priority. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is collaborating with drone developers to create specialized tools for this purpose.

One such innovation is a drone capable of vertical take-off and landing, which can transition to gliding mode for energy-efficient long-distance flights. This hybrid design is ideal for monitoring vast reserves where poachers often operate under the cover of darkness. While current regulations limit beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, EWT’s Senior Conservation Manager, Lourens Leeuwner is optimistic that on-going partnerships will eventually enable broader deployment of these drones.

Leeuwner states that AI-driven drones offer even greater potential for conservation. By analysing data from cameras and sensors, these drones could identify poaching activity or track animal movements with unprecedented accuracy. Although legislative constraints currently limit the use of such systems in South Africa, advances in drone autonomy and machine learning are setting the stage for transformative applications in the near future.

Challenges

Despite the progress, challenges remain. South Africa’s diverse and often harsh weather conditions can affect drone performance, while the lack of infrastructure in rural areas hampers deployment. Furthermore, the integration of drones into airspace shared with human-crewed aircraft is a complex task that requires careful planning and coordination.

These same challenges, however, have proved an impetus to innovation: local start-ups are churning out hybrid drones marrying the agility of quad copters with the efficiency of fixed-wing designs and reaching out farther and staying aloft longer. By focusing on localised solutions, companies are tackling specific needs their global competitors often overlook.

For instance, precision agriculture has started to become one of the major applications for drones within South Africa. The AI-powered analytics allow the drone to help the farmers to optimize irrigation, find any pest infestations, and predict crop yields. Not only will this increase productivity, but also reduce resource wastage in farming, hence more eco-friendly methods.

Another hallmark of the South African drone industry is the spirit of collaboration. Partnerships between start-ups, NGOs, and government agencies are enabling innovative solutions to be developed that can address local challenges. This becomes particularly important in navigating the regulatory landscape to ensure that new technologies align with national priorities.

As drones become more capable, their applications in South Africa seem to be endless-from delivering medical supplies and monitoring biodiversity to combating poaching and responding to disasters, these flying machines are proving their worth in diverse contexts. Yet, their success depends not only on technological innovation but also on the collaboration between researchers, regulators, and the communities they serve.

The skies above South Africa are no longer just a space for aircraft; they are a canvas for human ingenuity and ambition. In pushing the boundaries of what drones can do, South Africans are pioneering solutions that may reshape industries and improve lives. In this new chapter of innovation, drones are more than tools; they are a sign of a future in which technology will serve humanity in very fundamental and transformative ways.

As the horizon expands, South Africa’s skies are bound to become a beacon of drone technology for the rest of the world. For every flight, a new possibility emerges, charting a course toward unexplored frontiers that hold promises of a better tomorrow.

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