Letters/Discussion Forums
Our award-winning airports are anything but ‘mismanaged’
I would like to respond to the article in last week’s Jewish Report, titled “A belt-tightening budget on the cards for Pravin Gordhan”, by Raymond Goss of Investec.
Refentse Shinners
Goss asks whether Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will privatise the “grossly mismanaged South African Airways, Eskom and Airports Company of South Africa [sic]”.
I do wonder on what basis Goss calls Airports Company South Africa “grossly mismanaged”? Perhaps he has not taken the time to review our business or our performance in recent years. If he had, he would not have found a “grossly mismanaged” business, but rather a successful, profitable, and growing state-owned company.
Our airports are widely recognised world class assets. Recently O R Tambo International Airport was named “Best Airport in Africa”, while Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport (in Durban) were presented with the “Best Airport Staff Service: Africa”, and “Best Regional Airport: Africa” respectively by the prestigious 2015 SKYTRAX Choice Awards in Paris.
The SKYTRAX awards reflect global airport customer satisfaction and are considered to be the global benchmark for excellence in the airport industry.
Results are based on an independent nine-month survey consolidating the views of 12 million respondents, representing over 100 nationalities and covering 385 airports. This was just one of numerous awards our airports won last year.
In terms of financial performance for the year ending March 2015, Airports Company South Africa reported an 8,9 per cent increase in revenue of R7,8 billion. A rise in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation by 11,6 per cent to R5,2 billion, was also recorded, while paying R716 million in company tax. This isn’t a once-off either; we have consistently reported profits for the last five years.
Goss’ statement certainly does not reflect the state of Airports Company South Africa and his aspersions about the company are clearly unfounded.
Next time he walks through one of our nine airports in South Africa, I encourage him to reflect on the fact that not only are they world class, but they are well managed too, something we take pride in.
Group Executive: Corporate Affairs
Airports Company South Africa
nat cheiman
March 2, 2016 at 11:09 am
‘Blatant theft of luggage etc make our airports WORLD CHAMPIONS in loss of luggage and theft.
Another aspect is SKYWISE not paying and being excluded from operating, yet SAA under Doedoes Myeni, also being in arrears and yet being allowed to operate.
Sophistry is understood by educated people and only the gullible will attach any weight to these statements.’