The Air Traffic & Navigation Services (ATNS) has assured transport minister Barbara Creecy that every effort is being made to complete the maintenance programme for instrument flight procedures that has affected smaller airports.
About 10 days ago flights to some smaller airports were severely affected after ATNS indefinitely suspended procedures for all instrument navigation flight approaches at the airports.
There are about 177 scheduled flights a week to the airports affected by the suspensions.
ATNS confirmed on Monday that the airports in George, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mthatha and Richards Bay operated with visual approaches and instrument approaches had been suspended.
ATNS said it was conducting a maintenance programme for instrument flight procedures at different airports. 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 be permissible.
ATNS said the navigation procedures for air navigation services were being reviewed and updated to meet international standards and advances in technology. It said where procedures were suspended it would ensure an expedited maintenance review process to minimise the impact on safety and operational flight delays.
Airlines such as Airlink, CemAir and Safair said flights could be affected, specially to George.
Key procedures enabling access to airports with passenger services will be submitted by the end of August
— Barbara Creecy, transport minister
Creecy said in her budget vote speech in the National Council of Provinces on Monday that all procedures that required maintenance would be submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority by November.
“Key procedures enabling access to airports with passenger services will be submitted by the end of August,” Creecy said.
She said to ensure the upgrade of navigation equipment at airports, the transport department had reprioritised more than R400m for the ATNS over the next two years.
Creecy said many smaller airports could offer important regional, economic and social services that could unlock growth and job creation in rural areas.
“During this term of government we will revisit the national airports master plan so we can consider the strategic role smaller airports can play in the transport ecosystem.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.