South Africa’s Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) has announced an indefinite suspension of all instrument-navigation flight approaches to the airports in George, Kimberley, Mthatha, Polokwane, and Richards Bay. This suspension, effective immediately, affects all aircraft operators, including Airlink, and is a result of an ongoing compliance review of South Africa’s air navigation infrastructure and procedures.
Impact on Air Travel and Safety Measures
The ATNS suspension applies to all instrument approaches originally designed, approved, and prescribed by the service. Pilots can still execute visual approaches under favorable weather conditions, but night-time or poor weather approaches may not be feasible, potentially leading to significant disruptions.
“Airlink will do its best to operate all of its flights and to maintain its schedule, however it is possible that some of our flights may be delayed or, in the worst case, cancelled. We apologise in advance to any customers who are inconvenienced by this development which is beyond Airlink’s control,” stated Rodger Foster, Airlink CEO and Managing Director.
“Given the disruption to our services, the inconvenience to our customers and the likely economic harm to business, trade and to tourism at those cities, Airlink has offered to assist ATNS in securing the services of international experts in airspace and approach procedure design, so that it can expedite the review and reinstate or implement new, fully-compliant procedures,” Foster added.
Additional Affected Airports and Alternate Approaches
The notice issued by ATNS also includes partial suspensions of some flight approaches to O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International, Bloemfontein, Upington, Pietermaritzburg, and East London airports. However, alternative approaches at these airports should mitigate the impact on Airlink operations.
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