Airline passengers should be prepared for delays following the suspension of air traffic navigation procedures at more than ten South African airports.
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This comes as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conducts safety audits in the country. The 12-day Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) audit of South Africa’s civil aviation safety system and oversight capabilities is due to continue until Monday, 3 April.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is the body that oversees aviation matters in the country and carries out audits of navigational procedures at the country’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS).
The audits have found that several South African airports failed to meet the requirements for certain navigation procedures, resulting in the suspension of certain air traffic navigation procedures at more than ten of South Africa’s airports.
The affected airports include Cape Town International Airport (Western Cape), George Airport (Western Cape), King Phalo International Airport (Eastern Cape), Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (Gqeberha), Kimberley Airport (Northern Cape), Upington Airport (Northern Cape), Bram Fischer International Airport (Free State), Pietermaritzburg Airport (KZN), Richards Bay Airport (KZN), Pilanesburg Airport (North West) and Polokwane International Airport (Limpopo).
Flights will generally be operating as usual should aircrafts be able to land in good visual conditions. However, inclement weather may affect operations.
‘The SACAA does not take such actions lightly,’ the authority told News24. ‘Disruptions that may be encountered resulting from enforcement actions are unfortunate. However, upholding the country’s aviation safety remains paramount and must remain prioritised at all times.’
Also, Airlink said on Thursday that the suspension of some instrument-assisted flight approaches had disrupted some of its operations at Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay airports.
‘Airlink will never compromise the safety and well-being of our passengers, crews and our aircraft. We are doing our best to minimise any disruptions and delays. In the meantime, we urge the responsible aeronautical agencies to quickly restore full air navigation services at the affected airports,’ Airlink CEO and Managing Director Rodger Foster told Engineering News.
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