One of the runways at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park near Johannesburg has been temporarily closed due to the outbreak of a veld fire.
ONE OF the runways at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park near Johannesburg has been temporarily closed due to an outbreak of a veld fire.
The reports of the fire started coming in after midday on Monday.
Airport management later confirmed the reports with a statement on Monday afternoon.
“OR Tambo International Airport, Airport Management confirms that runway 21L/03R has been temporarily closed due to a veld fire that spilled over from the adjacent community within the airport precinct,” it said.
The airport also tweeted a notice to its followers on Twitter on the incident, calling for travellers to exercise “patience and understanding”.
Temporary Closure of Runway 21L/03R pic.twitter.com/x3UKgkPZ5S
— ORTambo (@ortambo_int) September 5, 2022
According to OR Tambo International Airport communications specialist Samukelo Khambule, the airport’s fire and rescue team is on site and working to extinguish the fire.
Khambule also said that airport operation has not been impacted and that flights are still landing and departing as scheduled.
“Airport Management will keep you updated on all developments,” said Khambule.
