The Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has expressed serious concern over new disruptions to air traffic that have impacted several local carriers.
Local airlines, including Airlink, have experienced flight disruptions to a number of destinations due to suspended instrument flight procedures.
The affected airports included Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport KMIA, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Polokwane Gateway Airport and Mthatha.
The Air Traffic and Navigation Services ATNS has been accused of failing to timeously maintain the validity of these airports’ instrument flight procedures.
This is key to navigation aid for pilots to land the aircraft, especially in poor weather or at night.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy set up an intervention unit at the entity earlier this year and suspended the CEO.
The minister says the latest disruptions come as a turnaround intervention is underway.
“Governance lapses, equipment failures, and outdated procedures. The intervention team, in each and every step that they are making, makes sure that the political principal or the Minister is informed. And I’ve seen that, I have just seen the report which are submitted on the 2nd of October, in terms of the progress that has been made. And I must say, I am part of the issue which is being raised in this report, for instance, the procedures have referred to were supposed to have been approved by the CAA on the 2nd of October, on the 2nd of October. Some of them were turned back to ATNS to adjust some of the things. And then to resubmit, and now I’m referring to the 9.”
Owing to legacy issues, the minister says, although work continues at the entity, it’s disheartening that the challenges still persist, but hopeful that the ATNS will meet the 27th November deadline to fix the instrument flight procedures.
Collin Msibi, Department of Transport Spokesperson, says the recruitment processes are still on.
“At this point in time, it is a critical point; the recruitment processes are still on, and there are issues with the upgrade of the systems that haven’t been finalized. So, they would still be there when it comes to this, the issue of the CEO. The CEO is still on suspension, and I suppose there’s work being done in terms of finalizing whatever, it’s investigation with regards to that particular matter.”
ATNS has since applied for an exemption with the regulator, Civil Aviation Authority, for the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, with the spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini, confident in the work underway to resolve the issues on the set deadline of November 27th.
“We have done what we need to do. Like I have said, we have applied it to our operator to have these procedures approved. They have been approved. Now, they are aware of what is called publication. Publication is a period where we need to wait for about two months, for technical issues to be in place, and then come 27th of November. Then it’s going to be up and running again.”
Video: Airlink reports 0widespread flight disruptions: Dr. Guy Leitch
WATCH | Aviation expert Dr Guy Leitch says that the air navigation services challenges being experienced at some of the airports in the country are an ongoing disaster. He adds that this isn’t a new problem but has long been an issue. pic.twitter.com/VFrW6Yg1fp
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 18, 2025
