Why you’ll see emergency crews at King Shaka Airport on Friday

Travellers passing through King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) on Friday, 26 September, may notice a surge of emergency vehicles and uniformed crews on site.

But there’s no cause for alarm 0 it’s all part of a large-scale safety drill.

According to BusinessTech, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) confirmed that King Shaka Airport will stage its mandatory full-scale Aerodrome Emergency Exercise tomorrow. The drill, required every two years under South African aviation law and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, is designed to test the airport’s ability to respond to a major incident.

What travellers can expect during the emergency drill

The simulation will mobilise multiple emergency and security agencies, including the South African Police Service, eThekwini Disaster Risk Management Centre, Fire and Rescue, Metro EMS, Traffic Police, and the South African National Defence Force.

“Members of the public can expect to see heightened activity in and around the airport precinct during the exercise,” Acsa said.

The airport stressed that this is a planned drill only. Normal flights and operations will continue without disruption.

Acsa added that the exercise is a critical step in maintaining the highest levels of health, safety, and security for passengers and staff, ensuring that all systems, protocols, and personnel are prepared should an actual emergency occur.