Passengers travelling to Johannesburg using Zambia Airways are now required to produce valid return or onward tickets, reports the Zambian Observer.
The new rule follows an increase in passengers being denied entry by South African immigration for various reasons, which has forced the airline to assume liability for all associated costs.
The new rule took effect on October 14.
“Dear valued travel partner, effective immediately, all passengers travelling to Johannesburg (JNB), excluding South African nationals, must hold a valid return or onward ticket. This directive follows an increase in inadmissible passenger (INAD) cases at JNB and will be strictly enforced at the point of check-in. Only passengers holding a valid return or onward ticket will be accepted for travel to JNB,” read the notice quoted by the Zambian Observer.
According to the notice, passengers carrying one-way tickets will only be allowed if they accept full liability for all INAD-related costs.
“Passengers travelling on one-way tickets and indicating a return by road must: demonstrate the ability to purchase a return ticket should immigration deny entry; accept full liability for all INAD-related costs, including facility and repatriation charges; and sign the attached Indemnity Form before travel, confirming understanding and acceptance of these terms. Your strict adherence to these procedures is essential to ensure compliance and avoid inconvenience,” the statement added.
In an interview posted by the Zambian Observer, Zambia Airways' acting commercial manager, Emmanuel Chisanga, stated that the new rule is a precautionary measure following the losses the airline has faced.
“The challenge has been that there has been an increase in the number of people being denied admission in South Africa when they arrive there, maybe because they don’t have a direct return ticket or they can’t demonstrate that they have enough funds to sustain their stay in South Africa. We are just taking precautions,” Chisanga reportedly said.
Apart from the reasons Chisanga mentioned, other common causes for being denied entry into a country include not having a valid visa, having a passport close to expiry, or presenting damaged documents.
In South Africa, you can be banned or denied entry for the following reasons, as stated by SA Visas:
- Overstaying your South African visa.
- Previous deportation from South Africa.
- Possession or use of fraudulent documents (fake visa, passport, or ID).
- Having an asylum application rejected as “manifestly unfounded” by the DHA.
- Other serious grounds outlined in Section 29(1) of the Immigration Act, such as involvement in serious crimes (genocide, terrorism, human smuggling, murder, drug offences), being part of an organisation promoting racial hatred or social violence, or using crime or terrorism to achieve objectives.
Having a return or onward ticket also demonstrates that a traveller does not intend to overstay in the country they are visiting.
Chisanga explained that when an airline transports someone from one country to another and that person is denied entry by immigration, whether at the airport or at a land border, the airline becomes liable.
“All the expenses, like in this case, have been adding up because we’ve had a lot of such incidents lately. We’re just taking precautions because we’re penalised for transporting people there. If South African immigration does not allow them to enter the country and they are not holding a return ticket, it means we have to fly them back for free,” he added.
The acting commercial manager further explained that he had discussed the matter with the South African High Commission.
“When the person is taken to a holding room and the plane takes off, it means the airline has to foot the bills. So, these are precautions we’re trying to take. Even the South African High Commission called in, and we explained the same thing because they were also surprised that we issued that statement. We don’t want to incur losses as an airline,” he said.
The rule does not apply to South African nationals.
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