Transport Minister has instructed the Board of Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) to temporarily suspend their CEO, Nosipho Mdawe. Additionally, Creecy has requested the Board to engage an independent law firm to investigate Mdawe's management of her duties and responsibilities as CEO of ATNS.
Earlier this year, Minister Creecy authorized an expedited overhaul of ATNS after receiving a preliminary report from a team of aviation experts. This team was assembled by the Minister in December, in response to significant delays in establishing valid and current instrument approaches at South African airports, an issue that originated in July 2024.
According to Travel News, the report identified significant staffing challenges, unreliable navigation systems, and deficiencies in safety practices and management at ATNS. Creecy has provided an update indicating that the existing backup compliance procedures at major airports are set to expire in early April.
“ATNS was required to maintain these procedures and ensure that they are flight-ready before this expiry date. These procedures are crucial for efficient airport access in all weather conditions,” said Creecy. “Consequently, urgent steps are being taken to prioritise procedures for minimal impact at major airports such as OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, King Shaka International, Chief Dawid Stuurman International and George airports.
“The focus will be on accelerating contracts with international flight procedure designers and charting specialists. Other airports may face access impacts during poor visibility or bad weather. These procedures will be maintained after completing work at the key airports with domestic and international scheduled operations,” the minister added.
In his final major address to the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, encompassing various airlines and ground handlers operating within and beyond the country, Airlink's departing CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, spoke candidly. He concentrated on the condition of South Africa's government-operated air traffic agency, Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS), asserting that "ATNS has created a serious safety risk."
“We are still denied the use of almost 300 instrument flight procedures that were perfectly fine to use until mid-July 2024 when ATNS missed its deadline to submit the revalidation paperwork to the SACAA for re-approval,” Foster highlighted. “Instrument flight procedures are fundamental to operational safety. By withdrawing them, as a fig leaf for its administrative failure, ATNS is obliging pilots to operate aircraft with far narrower margins than any of us would like.”
All airlines operating in South Africa have invested in acquiring modern aircraft equipped with the latest flight and navigation technology. Additionally, they have contributed to ground safety systems, such as instrument landing systems, by paying fees to ATNS, which facilitate safe landings in all weather conditions. "However, if instrument flight procedures are withdrawn, we cannot utilize these safety tools and equipment," he stated. "How can that be considered 'safe'?"
It has been disclosed that the Alternative Means of Compliance, which permitted the use of certain procedures at major airports, is set to expire in early April. This development holds significant implications for Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Cape Town International Airport, Durban's King Shaka International Airport, Port Elizabeth's Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, and George Airport. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy indicated that the reinstatement of procedures at major airports like ORTIA and Cape Town would be prioritized. However, this suggests that smaller airports may be adversely affected.
For many years, airlines have expressed concerns that "ATNS was a disaster waiting to happen." They have strongly advocated for the expedited recruitment of air traffic controllers and airspace designers. "While it's encouraging to hear the Minister acknowledge that training is resuming and new air traffic controllers are being recruited, it seems akin to closing the barn door after the horse has already bolted."
Foster advocated for holding the executives at ATNS accountable. Despite nearly nine months passing since the withdrawal of 326 instrument flight procedures, the ATNS board and senior management appear unaware of the significant impact this issue has, not only on airlines and passengers but also on the broader economy. "Therefore, it was unsurprising to learn that the Minister instructed the ATNS board to suspend the CEO pending an investigation into her job performance."
During this period, airlines remained responsible for ATNS charges, which were set to increase, despite not receiving services. When services were provided, they were frequently inefficient, leading to increased airline expenses. These inefficiencies encompass extended waits at runway holding points, unnecessary routing, diversions, and holding patterns. Last year, these inefficiencies resulted in a cost of R55 million for Airlink.
The situation is also negatively impacting the economy, Foster explained. The problems with ATNS were resulting in flight delays, diversions, or cancellations. This increase in airline operating costs, which could not be recovered, led to passengers and their luggage missing connecting flights, adversely affecting the country's tourism industry. Additionally, it disrupted air cargo shipments. These disruptions were particularly significant when they affected pharmaceuticals or other perishable goods, compromising the cold chain in transit or South African-manufactured car parts, causing them to miss their just-in-time delivery schedules and disrupting overseas assembly lines.
