Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Baggage Theft - SAA

"SAA partners with Swissport to cut baggage theft at airports
In an attempt to reduce baggage theft and improve delivery, South African Airways (SAA) has announced that their ground handling services will now be carried out by Swissport International"


Have just read the above statement in a newsletter called 'South Africa - Good News'. Apparently comes into effect from 1st Feb 2008.

Who is Swissport International and do you think that they will be able to curb the rampant thieving that goes on at OR Tambo.

Since this has little to do with travel safety or travel security and more to do with a specific airlines baggage handling policy, I'm going to move it to the airline forums.

Please follow at its new location.

Thanks.


______________________

Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator

"SAA partners with Swissport to cut baggage theft at airports
In an attempt to reduce baggage theft and improve delivery, South African Airways (SAA) has announced that their ground handling services will now be carried out by Swissport International"


Have just read the above statement in a newsletter called 'South Africa - Good News'. Apparently comes into effect from 1st Feb 2008.

Who is Swissport International and do you think that they will be able to curb the rampant thieving that goes on at OR Tambo.

The official line is as follows:
The current subcontractor to ACSA (the Airports Company of South Africa), Equity Aviation, used casual labour for luggage handling and the new one (Swissport) has a clause in the contract preventing them from doing this. This is supposed to curb luggage theft (as casual labour is expected to be less committed to the job and hence more prone to steal).
In reality, as long as theft and corruption continues to be a way of life in modern South Africa (and more and more so every day), I sadly do not see this changing at all. I'll continue to try to avoid OR Tambo at almost all costs :rolleyes:.
Off to LRH and DUB tonight on the direct flight. Tried to stuff my belongings into hand luggage only (4 day trip) but it did not work :td:. Hope my small checked-in bag will make it through LHR :(.

The official line is as follows:
The current subcontractor to ACSA (the Airports Company of South Africa), Equity Aviation, used casual labour for luggage handling and the new one (Swissport) has a clause in the contract preventing them from doing this. This is supposed to curb luggage theft (as casual labour is expected to be less committed to the job and hence more prone to steal).
In reality, as long as theft and corruption continues to be a way of life in modern South Africa (and more and more so every day), I sadly do not see this changing at all. I'll continue to try to avoid OR Tambo at almost all costs :rolleyes:.
Off to LRH and DUB tonight on the direct flight. Tried to stuff my belongings into hand luggage only (4 day trip) but it did not work :td:. Hope my small checked-in bag will make it through LHR :(.

I will avoid OR Tambo JNB airport too if I can...

I still have yet to find out what has been taken from my suitcase which was lost coming through JNB earlier this month. The bag finally reappeared after 3 days and is now sitting at Singapore Airport Lost and Found. I'll collect it in Feb.