By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed the flight schedule disruptions and delays after air traffic control system failure at OR Tambo International Airport.
While this is not an ACSA systems issue, we are alerting passengers as delays and changes to flight schedules are expected, it said.
Passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for the latest updates on flight status and download the ACSA mobile app for real-time notifications and flight information.
In a statement on Friday, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) said the failure affected Air Traffic Control operations, specifically the Flight Plan Management system.
“As a result, operational disruptions are occurring, and departure delays are expected. ATNS is working closely with all relevant stakeholders to manage the situation and minimise the impact on passengers and airline operations,” the statement reads.
“We wish to reassure the public and aviation partners that all safety protocols are being strictly followed to ensure the safe management of air traffic, and the swift restoration of the affected systems.”
The news comes after domestic airline FlySafair announced the full resumptions of its flights following a two week strike by its pilots.
Meanwhile Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said, government is hiring a host of new employees at ATNS to address safety concerns caused by regulatory failures and understaffing.
Creecy previously appointed an intervention team after ATNS failed to meet administrative deadlines in reviewing hundreds of crucial instrument flight procedures (IFPs) in South Africa.
IFPs are predetermined departure, arrival, and landing manoeuvres to ensure aircraft avoid obstacles while facilitating an orderly flow of air traffic.
However, if these IFPs are not up to date and bad weather creates low-visibility conditions around airports, pilots can’t land their planes.
An investigation sanctioned by Creecy found that while Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) had requested the review of the IFPs, ATNS ignored this request.
At the time, the minister also said that 66 IFPs were due to expire at airports nationwide on 10 April. Two days before the deadline, ACSA announced that ATNS had made progress.