JOHANNESBURG: Private jets will be towed if they refuse to make way for commercial flights at Johannesburg airport for the World Cup final, officials said Thursday, after a logjam made some fans miss the last semi-final match.
Airports Company South Africa blamed VIP private jets for congestion at Durban’s airport that made five flights carrying about 700 fans late for Spain’s 0-1 victory over Germany late Wednesday.
Some missed the match entirely.
Aviation officials warned they would not allow such delays to mar Sunday’s final in Johannesburg between the Netherlands and Spain.
"We are going to be more forceful on Sunday. If aircraft refuse to move we will tow them away," ACSA operations manager Themba Maseko told the Sapa news agency.
Transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele apologized to the fans, vowing in a statement to "strengthen … private aircraft operator facilitation plans for the remainder of the World Cup."
ACSA boss Monhla Hlahla told 702 radio the delays in Durban were caused when some private planes refused to move after landing, "therefore blocking landing space for other planes".
"Priority had to be given to VIPs who were caught up in the situation," she said, adding that FIFA planes were allowed to land before commercial flights.
The new King Shaka airport opened on May 1, and was meant to cope with higher passenger volumes.
Budget airline Mango said one of its flights was delayed for three hours, with enraged fans missing the first half of the match. They were given a special bus to take them directly to the stadium.
