By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Comair CEO Glenn Orsmond listens to demands made by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) outside the Comair offices in Kempton Park, 15 March 2022. The Civil Aviation Authority recently suspended Comair’s operating licence indefinitely. Picture: Michel Bega.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) lifted the suspension against Comair, which operates British Airways and Kulula airlines.
In a statement, the CAA said that the audit and assessment of Comair’s submissions after the suspension of the company’s operating licence at the weekend was completed on Wednesday evening.
“The SACAA sought to confirm Comair’s compliance with applicable Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs). The inspection was also aimed at reviewing Comair’s safety management systems (SMS) and quality control management system (QA) to establish compliance related to the reporting, analysis and follow-up on occurrences, and corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.”
The SACAA audited Comair following a spate of occurrences that posed safety risks by kulula.com and BA Comair airlines.
“We’re pleased that the situation is finally resolved, following an immense effort over five days and nights to engage and work with the SACAA. After a thorough review of Comair’s documentation, the SACAA has lifted the precautionary suspension of Comair’s licence.
“Our focus is now to get our operations back to normal as quickly as possible so we can further assist our customers,” Comair CEO Glenn Orsmond said in a statement issued late on Wednesday evening.
The British Airways and kulula.com schedules will be restored in a phased manner, and customers are advised to check the schedules on the airlines’ websites before going to the airport.
Customers are advised to not go to the airport if they do not have a confirmed booking.