The travel industry is being urged to ensure clients travelling to South Africa have all the necessary documentation, with a large number of passengers unable to check-in for their flights because their travel documents do not comply with new South African laws.
The issues follow the June 1 introduction of new South African legislation calling for additional documentation from parents and guardians travelling with children or unaccompanied minors travelling alone or in groups.
South African Airways country manager Australasia Tim Clyde-Smith said last week, the airline was unable to check in passengers at Perth Airport in the “high double digits” because they did not have the necessary documents.
“Despite an education program and communications through our travel partners and the industry, we are still seeing too many incidents when people arrive at check-in without the correct documents. This is amplified when they have travelled across Australia from the eastern states or New Zealand and are then advised they cannot continue their journey without the correct documentation being provided,’’ Clyde-Smith said.
“As our Christmas flights are full, we cannot then accommodate people on another flight, meaning many families’ holiday plans are ruined. Such oversights by our travel partners or our customers are not covered by travel insurance.”
Clyde-Smith warned that travel agents should go back through all existing bookings made as far back as 12 months, before the legislation came into force, to ensure their clients are aware of the requirements.
“It presents the whole industry in a bad light when customers do not have the correct information and are inconvenienced as a result,” he said.
“We would urge all travel agents to double check with their clients to ensure they have the correct documentation and people can enjoy their Christmas holidays.”
The rules do not apply to passengers transiting Johannesburg, SAA clarified.
Although the South African Government is examining the impact of the laws on the travel industry, no changes to the current legislation have been finalised.
