In its first appointment of a female to head up the continent’s biggest and busiest airport, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has named Bongiwe Pityi as the new GM of OR Tambo International Airport, with effect from September 1.

An attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Pityi had a 14-year record in the aviation industry, having fulfilled several management roles for ACSA, both locally and abroad.

She was the first manager to be entrusted with the management of ACSA’s parking business in November 2001, based at the then Johannesburg International Airport.

In 2005, she was appointed assistant GM at the former Durban International Airport before leading and managing the operational transition from the old airport to the new King Shaka International Airport.

This was followed by her appointment as assistant GM at the King Shaka International Airport in 2010.

She most recently occupied the role of deputy director of operational readiness planning at Guarulhos International Airport, in São Paulo, Brazil, in which ACSA had a stake.

She played a critical role in improving the airport’s capability and ensuring its readiness to handle an influx of aircraft and passengers in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in July.

ACSA CEO Bongani Maseko said Pityi was ideally suited to operate OR Tambo, as she had extensive aviation experience.

“She has proven her abilities in South Africa and Brazil and I am certain that she will do an excellent job of managing Africa’s busiest airport," he noted.