The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to immediately initiate a thorough investigation into the root causes of the collapse of aviation fuel supply at OR Tambo International Airport, in Gauteng.

This week court documents revealed that Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is facing multiple liquidation applications owing to its failure to pay service providers over R500-million, excluding interest, for services rendered.

ACSA has denied that it is on the edge of liquidation and assured that it could pay all its debts, “as and when they arise”. It also highlighted that its 2023/24 financial statements had been independently audited by the Auditor General of South Africa.

DA Tourism spokesperson Haseena Ismail noted that allegations of financial misrepresentation and withheld payments by ACSA had further undermined confidence in airport operations and management.

Ismail highlighted that disruptions of this magnitude threatened to cripple the country’s tourism sector, causing widespread flight delays, cancellations, and interruptions to connecting flights.

These challenges, she said, deteredr travellers, led to financial losses, and tarnished South Africa's reputation as a tourist destination.

“We urge Minister Creecy to act swiftly to restore stability in the aviation sector and safeguard the growth and resilience of our tourism industry. An announcement today of a full-scale investigation would not be a day too soon,” she stated.

She said it was imperative to determine how the crisis occurred and to implement measures that would prevent similar disruptions in the future.

“…we do not need a patch-up job, we need the issue to be solved completely, so that it does not happen again. Travellers and tourists must have the confidence that OR Tambo Airport is safe, reliable and not a risk to their travel plans,” she said.