New E-gates to be introduced at OR Tambo International Airport

 OR Tambo International Airport is set to roll-out some new technology soon, in the form of biometric-scanning E-gates.

E-gates heading to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport

According to OR Tambo Internationa Airport’s General Manager, Jabulani Khambule, the airport is set to introduce E-gates as part of its new technology systems roll-out.

The E-gates will be fitted with biometric scanners to allow South African passport holders to be processed through immigration without visiting an immigration officer. This will likely result in an increased processing rate at immigration and reduced waiting times, Tourism Update reports.

Although no date for the implementation of the E-gates has yet been revealed, Tourism Update says that they will only be introduced after being executed at Cape Town International Airport first.

Traveller Declaration goes live at Cape Town airport

In other airport news, the new Traveller Declaration system or South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) from the South AFrican Revenue Service (SARS), recently went live at Cape Town International Airport.

The pass, which was first implemented in November last year at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, was officially rolled out in Cape Town on 28 February, and SARS says that the system will continue to be used on a voluntary basis during the initial pilot phases.  

“The system will continue to be used on a voluntary basis during the pilot phase until further notice. The results of the pilot project will be applied as SARS rolls out the system in line with Customs legislation.” SARS said in a statement

What is the system about?

According to details on the SARS website, the Traveller Declaration system allows travellers, including South African citizens and residents, who are leaving or entering South Africa by air to complete and submit an online traveller declaration form and receive electronic confirmation thereof before they travel.

Travellers require their passport details, travel information, details of their travel companion, as well as contact information in order to complete each form. More details can be found about the system here.