BARSAWho We Work With
1. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
BARSA’s primary interface with government is with the Department of Transport (DoT) of the Republic of South Africa. DoT is the custodian of all legislation that relates to the regulation of air transport in the country, and the department facilitates the development of an economically viable air transport industry that is safe, secure, efficient, environmentally friendly, and compliant with international standards. DoT oversees the regulation of aviation public entities and the tariff applications and promulgation processes.
Other Government Departments include:
ARSA is part of the National Tourism Stakeholder Forum which is a platform for travel and tourism value chain partners to engage on, contribute towards and review the National Tourism Sector Strategy.
The dtic is the custodian of competition legislation and issues of compliance, which are priorities for BARSA and its members. Added to this are the B-BBEE codes that are being discussed for the air transport sector.
BARSA engages with the DHA with regard to immigration facilitation legislation, regulations and practices in as far as these impact passengers and airline crew (entry visas, transit permits, etc).
Taxation for international airlines is guided by global standards and practices, but South Africa is reviving / imposing VAT on the domestic leg of an international ticket. BARSA is engaging on this matter with SARS, jointly with partners.
Port health forms a key part of BARSA’s interest with the Department of Health, and impacts both passengers and operators. After the COVID pandemic, BARSA was instrumental in reopening South Africa’s skies in partnership with the Department of Health.
BARSA is actively involved in ensuring that the aviation industry plays its role in reducing the carbon footprint on the planet together with the Department of Environmental Affairs.
2. REGULATORY BODIES
The SACAA is an agency of the Department of Transport mandated with controlling, promoting, regulating, supporting, developing, enforcing and continuously improving levels of safety and security throughout the civil aviation industry. BARSA follows through on all CAA regulations, strategic plans and programmes that impact its members.
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa is the regulatory authority for the country’s electricity supply industry. NERSA is also responsible for the economic regulation of pipeline tariffs applicable to Transnet Pipelines. BARSA represents its members at NERSA consultative meetings during each permission application cycle to ensure fair tariff adjustments for each permission period.
The Regulating Committee regulates ACSA (Airports Company of South Africa) and ATNS (Air Traffic and Navigation Services). It limits aeronautical and navigation charges for each year of the permission period for any or all of ACSA’s airports and navigation charges. Charges are determined for a period of five years, with a two-year overlap. BARSA represents its members during these consultative engagements to ensure that permission applications made by the regulated entities are fair, just and in the interest of its members.
The Regulating Committee for Meteorological Services (RCMS) was established in terms of Section 20(1)(a) of the South African Weather Service Act (Act No. 8 of 2001), as amended. The RCMS is responsible for the economic regulation of weather charges. BARSA engages the RCMS on behalf its members during each permission application cycle to ensure fair tariff adjustments for each permission period.
3. AVIATION INDUSTRY SERVICE PROVIDERS
ACS provides HBS, CUTE and CUSS services to the airline industry. As a 50% shareholder, BARSA has a seat on the ACS Board and ACS Board of Trustees. The current BARSA CEO is also the Chairman of the ACS Board.
ACSA is a state-owned company reporting to the Department of Transport. The company owns and manages a network of airports in South Africa, including the three main international gateways of O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International Airports. Their business accounts for more than 90% of commercial traffic in the country.
ATNS is responsible for air traffic management (ATM) and seeks to deliver dynamic and integrated management of air traffic and airspace – safely, economically and efficiently – through the provision of facilities and seamless services in collaboration with all parties.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a public entity under the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, and is an authoritative body for weather and climate forecasting in South Africa. As an Aviation Meteorological Authority, SAWS is designated by the State to provide weather services to the aviation industry and a range of other identified clients, and to fulfil a range of international obligations of the government.
Transnet Pipelines, a subsidiary of Transnet, is the principal operator of South Africa’s fuel pipeline system. It is responsible for over 3,000 kilometres of pipelines. It is responsible for petroleum storage and pipeline maintenance, which also include the provisioning of jet fuel to OR Tambo International Airport.
4. AVIATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
The IATA is the prime vehicle for inter-airline cooperation in promoting safe, reliable, secure and economical air services for the benefit of consumers. It supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.
The ICAO is a UN specialised agency, established to manage the administration and governance of the Chicago Convention. ICAO works with member states and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.
AFRAA was established as a Trade Organization open to membership of airlines of African States. AFRAA champions major initiatives in the air transport sector in Africa and is a platform for African airlines to take concrete actions for co-operation in operational, commercial, technical, and training fields.
5. BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS & VALUE CHAIN PARTNERS
BUSA is a confederation of business organisations including chambers of commerce and industry, professional associations, corporate associations and sectoral organisations. It represents the views of its members in a number of national structures and bodies, both statutory and non-statutory. BARSA is a member of BUSA and represents the interests of the air transport sector through the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) on NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council).
TBCSA serves to unite and influence the diverse travel and tourism sector, to contribute to a competitive, responsible and inclusive tourism and South African economy. It is a member driven organisation which include such large travel and tourism associations as ASATA, SATSA and FEDHASA. BARSA has a seat on the Board of TBCSA.
South African Tourism is the country’s destination marketing organization mandated with promoting the country domestically and abroad as a preferred tourist destination of choice.