Visibility sensor at OR Tambo faulty but not a safety risk |ACSA.

By Carin Smith.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed there is a faulty visibility sensor on the primary runway at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

The sensor, known as a Runway Visual Range (RVR), requires some repairs which are anticipated to be completed by 23 December 2022.

ACSA said that the airport can confirm that the faulty sensor does not have any impact on the availability of the RVR data required by pilots and all flights continue to operate safely as per schedule.

“Management can confirm that all sensors on the secondary runway at ORTIA are fully operational. ACSA prioritises the safety and wellbeing of all passengers and continues to ensure that safety measures and protocols are adhered to at all times,” said ACSA.

In addition, OR Tambo International Airport is in the process of procuring RVRs and aims to commence with replacements as early as January 2023.

On Thursday DA member of Parliament Chris Hunsinger pointed out in a statement that the faulty RVR at OR Tambo comes less than a week after a breakdown in an air traffic control communication link with pilots in a vast ocean area for which South Africa is responsible.

The DA has called for Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to be held accountable for what the party sees as a lack of maintenance and repairs to the country’s navigational and guidance support equipment at OR Tambo airport.

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