SADC Aviation Body Calls for Accountability Amid Infrastructure Concerns

The Airline Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has raised serious concerns about the reliability of critical aviation infrastructure, including refueling systems, electrical power supply, and redundancy mechanisms at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and Cape Town International Airport (CTIA). These concerns highlight ongoing operational vulnerabilities that could impact the region’s aviation sector.

Fuel Supply and Infrastructure Challenges

Recently, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) reassured stakeholders that it has sufficient jet fuel reserves to last until the end of February and beyond. Additionally, Acsa outlined its long-term fuel infrastructure expansion projects aimed at ensuring a more reliable fuel supply in the future. However, industry experts remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and efficiency in the management of these reserves.

The challenges surrounding fuel supply are not new. Airlines and passengers rely heavily on uninterrupted fuel availability to maintain schedule integrity. AASA has voiced concerns that disruptions, even minor ones, could have cascading effects on airline operations, leading to flight delays, cancellations, and economic losses.

Airport Traffic and Economic Impact

ORTIA remains a critical hub for international and domestic flights, ranking among the world’s top ten busiest airports in 2024. Between April 2023 and March 2024, it handled approximately 17.8 million passengers and recorded over 204,000 aircraft movements, according to OAG’s Global Airline Schedules. This highlights the crucial role of South African airports in regional and international connectivity.

Despite the high traffic volumes, the airport's infrastructure has struggled to keep up with demand. Systemic inefficiencies in fuel management, power supply, and other operational areas have raised alarms within the aviation community.

Concerns Over Tariff Increases

AASA Chief Executive Aaron Munetsi has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of aviation services, particularly regarding tariff increases proposed by key aviation entities. Acsa, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), and the South African Weather Service (SAWS) have each submitted applications to their respective economic regulators seeking new tariff hikes. Munetsi argues that these increases are unjustified given the ongoing operational challenges affecting service reliability.

“Airlines and passengers pay statutory user charges to ensure safe, efficient, and affordable transportation. Yet, the level of service provided has not met the expected standards. It is unfair to burden users with higher costs while critical infrastructure concerns remain unresolved,” said Munetsi.

Uncertainty in Fuel Supply and Airline Operations

The ongoing uncertainty regarding fuel supply management continues to pose a significant risk. AASA warns that any disruptions in fuel availability could severely impact airline schedules, reducing efficiency and profitability. “Either way, uncertainty directly impacts the ability of airlines to fulfill their schedule integrity,” AASA stated.

To address these concerns, Acsa has committed to investing billions of rands into airport infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to jet fuel supply systems. While these investments are essential for long-term stability, industry stakeholders stress the importance of immediate interventions to mitigate current risks.

AASA and other aviation stakeholders are calling for greater accountability from regulatory bodies and aviation service providers. The reliability of fuel supply chains, power infrastructure, and redundancy systems must be prioritized to maintain South Africa’s position as a leading aviation hub in the SADC region.

With growing passenger numbers and increased operational demands, a proactive approach is necessary to ensure that aviation entities deliver on their commitments without imposing undue financial burdens on airlines and passengers. Industry experts suggest that independent oversight and stronger regulatory enforcement could help drive meaningful improvements.

As the aviation sector continues to recover from global economic disruptions, addressing these fundamental infrastructure concerns will be key to sustaining long-term growth and reliability within the region.