Service Ended After Airport Hand Grenade Breach

Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) is taking firm steps following a serious security breach at OR Tambo International Airport after a passenger was found in possession of two training hand grenades in Ethiopia.

- Oratile Mashilo

The incident came to light when Ethiopian Airlines notified Acsa that a passenger who had departed from OR Tambo was found with the training grenades during reverse baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This triggered immediate reporting to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa), as required by national protocols.

"This breach occurred within the Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) area, which is currently under the operational control of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS)," said Acsa yesterday.