Widespread flight disruptions have hit several regional airports, prompting concern from Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and alarm from the tourism industry, as the country’s air navigation service provider struggles with systemic challenges.
The disruptions, affecting carriers such as Airlink, are a result of the suspension of instrument flight procedures at key airports, including Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Polokwane Gateway Airport, and Mthatha. The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) is at the center of the crisis, accused of failing to maintain the validity of these critical safety procedures.
Minister Creecy expressed serious concern over the latest disruptions, which come while a ministerial intervention unit is already working to turn the entity around. The minister revealed that she had suspended the ATNS CEO earlier this year to address deep-seated issues.
“The air traffic navigation services has been on Minister Creecy’s radar since taking office in 2024, having to deal with an institution besieged with challenges, including critical skills shortages, governance lapses, equipment failures, and outdated procedures,” a reporter noted.
Detailing the ongoing intervention, Minister Creecy stated she is kept informed of every step. She referenced a progress report from October 2nd, which highlighted that certain procedures were supposed to have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on that date.
“Some of them were turned back to ATNS to adjust some of the things and then to resubmit,” the Minister said, referring to nine procedures that remain outstanding. She described the current moment as “a critical point,” with recruitment processes and system upgrades still unfinished and the CEO still suspended.
Despite the legacy issues, the Minister remains hopeful that ATNS will meet a crucial deadline of November 27th to fix the instrument flight procedures.
A spokesperson for ATNS, Mphilo Dlamini, expressed confidence in the work underway. “We have done what we need to do… we have applied to our regulator to have these procedures approved. They have been approved. Now they are wait what is called publication,” Dlamini said, explaining a mandatory two-month waiting period for technical implementation. “Come 27th of November then it’s going to be up and running again.”
Meanwhile, the aviation and tourism sectors are sounding the alarm over financial losses and reputational damage caused by the ongoing flight delays and cancellations.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council, emphasized the urgency of the situation with the festive season approaching. “It is concerning for us and we implore ATNS, the civil aviation authority, the department of transport and all parties to ensure that this matter is fixed,” Tshivhengwa said. “The booking season for us is now so it’s important that we have this confidence in the market.”
As ATNS continues its engagement with stakeholders, Minister Creecy continues to receive progress reports, hopeful that the interventions will ultimately restore the safety and reliability of the nation’s aviation industry.