Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which owns and operates South Africa's nine principal airports, including O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, has announced that it reiterates hand baggage regulations at its airports as the festive season 2023/24 looms. These regulations aim to manage the carriage of hand baggage onto aircraft and identify passengers with non-compliant items before reaching the security checkpoint. Such passengers will be directed back to check-in counters to transfer their baggage to check-in baggage.
The hand baggage regulations are applicable to all flights operating at ACSA airports within South Africa, as well as regional and international flights departing from South Africa. They are considered essential, not only to uphold hand baggage policies but also to prioritise cabin and flight safety and are in alignment with global best practices.
According to the regulations, the hand baggage allowance is as follows:
- Economy-class passengers: one bag plus one slimline laptop bag or handbag
- First-class passengers: two bags plus a slimline laptop bag*
- Bags may not exceed the total dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
- Weight limit per bag: 7kg
- Passengers who exceed the hand luggage limit will be subject to the specific airline’s excess baggage rules.
Where an exception to the stated rules is granted by an airline to the passenger, the passenger will be accompanied to the security point by uniformed airline staff who shall confirm such exception to the security officer or official manning the hand baggage control point.
* Slimline laptop bag means that this bag is of a size and thickness specifically designed to carry a laptop and charger and does not include bags capable of carrying items such as documents, clothes, and other items.
