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For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.Flight disruptions may be expected at several of South Africa’s airports owing to an air navigation compliance review process.
Aircraft operators received a notification from the Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) on Friday night stating that the that procedures for all instrument-navigation flight approaches to George, Kimberley, Mthatha, Polokwane and Richards Bay airports had been suspended indefinitely, according to a statement issued by Airlink.
The suspensions affect all aircraft flying to those airports.
“The approaches, which were all originally designed, approved and prescribed by ATNS, are subject to a compliance review of South Africa’s air navigation infrastructure and procedures, which is unfortunately taking longer than anticipated to complete,” the statement read.
Under the suspension, pilots may fly visual approaches in favourable weather conditions. However, at night or during cloudy, misty or rainy weather, approaches may not always be permissible.
Airlink added that a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by ATNS on Friday also advised that some, but not all, of the flight approaches to OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, Bloemfontein, Upington, Pietermaritzburg and East London have also been suspended.
ATNS spokesperson Percy Morokane said the procedures are based on South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aircraft Operations (ICAO PAN-OPS) design criteria, which change from time to time.
“As part of the process, the procedures are being reviewed and updated to meet the current ICAO PAN-OPS criteria and advances in technology,” said Morokane.
“At this point, a few of the aerodromes where we provide air traffic services are adversely affected (in terms of instrument approaches), namely George Airport, Kimberley International Airport, Upington International Airport, King Phalo/East London Airport, Mthatha Airport, and Polokwane International Airport.
“In these cases where procedures are suspended, ATNS will ensure an expedited maintenance review process per the above-mentioned standards to minimise the impact on safety and operational flight delays,” Morokane said.
He added that the maintenance programme had “progressed significantly and there is reasonable assurance of a positive outcome”.
“We recognise the crucial role these procedures play in our daily operations, air services, flights, and airport operations,” said Morokane.
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