Minister Creecy Sets Two-Week Deadline for ATNS to Resolve Airport Audit Delays

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has mandated the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) to address delays in airport auditing processes, following the indefinite suspension of instrument navigation procedures at several regional airports. The ATNS has been given two weeks to submit a recovery plan with costed timelines and technical requirements to ensure compliance with aviation standards and prevent future disruptions.

AVIATION

Patricia Jacobs

8/29/20241 min read

a woman in a colorful dress and glasses at a press conference
a woman in a colorful dress and glasses at a press conference

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has issued a firm directive to the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) to urgently address the prolonged delays in the auditing processes for airport operations. The Minister's intervention comes in response to growing concerns about the extended time it takes for these crucial audits, which are vital for maintaining safety and operational standards at airports across South Africa.

In recent weeks, the ATNS took the drastic step of suspending all instrument navigation flight procedures indefinitely at several key regional airports, including George, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mthatha, and Richards Bay. This suspension has raised alarms within the aviation sector, with potential repercussions for regional connectivity, airline schedules, and passenger convenience.

Minister Creecy has called on ATNS to develop a comprehensive recovery plan that includes clear, costed timelines and outlines the necessary technical capacity required to review and rectify all flight instrument procedures. This plan must not only address the immediate causes of the delays but also propose long-term solutions to prevent future disruptions.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that this plan should consider the impact on both domestic and international flight operations, as well as compliance with global aviation standards. To ensure accountability, the ATNS has been given a strict two-week deadline to submit the plan from the date of the meeting held with various aviation stakeholders.

The urgency of this directive highlights the government's commitment to maintaining South Africa's aviation safety and operational integrity while balancing the needs of passengers and airlines. The ATNS's response will be critical in determining the future of air navigation services at these affected airports and ensuring that South Africa remains a leader in aviation standards across the continent.