'Near-riot' in the sky as fans miss World Cup semifinal

Several planes carrying fans to the World Cup semi-final in Durban last night were delayed because of congestion at Durban's brand-new King Shaka airport. Now the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) is saying (according to this report) that they will not compensate fans who missed the match.

'Near-riot' in the sky as delayed flyers miss World Cup semifinal | Football | guardian.co.uk:

ACSA said problems arose because some VIP planes, which were supposed to land at King Shaka airport and later park at an old airport some 40 miles away, would not move. 'The congestion problem was caused by some private airplanes [which] refused to move ... after landing, therefore blocking landing space for other planes,' airports chief Monhla Hlahla told 702 Radio. 'Priority had to be given to VIPs who were caught up in the situation. We had too many flights wanting to land and at some point we had to instruct them to turn back.' The company insisted passengers would not be reimbursed.

The airport opened just two months ago, and remember what was said then:

FIFA.com - King Shaka airport ready to bring World to SA:

The newly constructed King Shaka International Airport in Durban came out with flying colours during a trial exercise on Thursday.

The mass trial at the airport in La Mercy involved the participation of an estimated 800 “fake passengers” and 300 staff members as part of the last leg of rigorous checks to ensure its preparedness ahead of its big day on 1 May, when it becomes operational.

“This trial has shown that King Shaka International is more than ready on all operations at the airport from landing and passenger/luggage transfer to safety and security, as well as road infrastructure, traffic around the airport, car rental and retail facilities and readiness of our personnel,” said it’s General Manager, Terence Delomoney.

The trial sees the culmination of the Operational Readiness and Transfer Program (ORAT) and it shows that King Shaka International Airport is now 100 per cent functional ahead of its official opening and of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Spokesmen for ACSA have blamed the congestion on pilots of VIP jets who they said refused to park their aircraft where they were told to.

If that is so, then ACSA should name them and shame them

• Name the pilots.
• Name the owners of the aircraft
• Name the "VIPs" who flew aboard them.

If they are rich enough to fly around in private jets, they are rich enough to compensate the fans who missed the match because of their selfish behaviour.

So let's hear it from ACSA -- who were they?