South Africa’s air traffic management and air traffic control agency, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), which has come under heavy fire for its failure to meet its regulatory obligations regarding essential aviation safety systems and procedures, has released an update on its progress regarding the maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) at the country’s airports. It also announced that it has successfully recruited ten Air Traffic Controllers, who will join the State-owned company during the coming months.

IFPs are essential flight safety systems for aircraft approaching and landing at airports in bad weather and/or poor visibility. To be usable, they must not only be properly maintained, but they must then also be checked and approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

To date, SACAA has approved IFPs for eight airports. These are OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport (Durban), Chief Dawie Stuurman International Airport (Port Elizabeth), Polokwane International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, George Airport, and King Phalo Airport (East London).  

But three airports have not yet had maintenance done on their IFPs and so these procedures have been suspended at these airports. These are Richards Bay Airport, Upington Airport, and Bram Fischer International Airport (Bloemfontein). “These airports will only be accessible during visual meteorological conditions, with no access permitted during poor visibility,” admitted ATNS.

“ATNS is committed to completing maintenance as soon as possible,” it assured. “ATNS will prioritise the maintenance of procedures at these airports to ensure that operations are restored as soon as possible.”

The agency also assured that it was continuing its recruitment process, to regain critical skills.

Quite separately, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which owns and operates most of the airports affected by ATNS’ failures, has also issued a statement on the situation, confirming the ATNS statement regarding the eight airports that had fully operational IFPs and that three that did not. “Passengers travelling to and from these [three] airports are advised to check with their respective airlines for any updates on flights schedules,” said ACSA.

The airports company assured that it is committed to the highest safety, operational efficiency and customer service standards. “ACSA continues to work closely with ATNS and all relevant authorities to restore procedures at the affected airports as quickly as possible, minimising any impact on our passengers.”