Polokwane International Airport: Runway 05 Instrument Flight Procedure now operational!

Last updated 29 December 2025 

The South African Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS)  has confirmed on 27 December 2025 that the Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) for Runway 05 at Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane in Limpopo is now valid and fully operational.

This follows ATNS’s earlier notice that the procedure would become effective on 25 December 2025, and marks an important milestone in improving aviation safety, operational resilience, and airspace efficiency in Limpopo.

What this means for travellers and airlines
The activation of the Runway 05 Instrument Flight Procedure significantly enhances instrument approach capability, particularly during low visibility and adverse weather conditions. This reduces the risk of weather-related delays and diversions, supporting more predictable flight operations for both commercial airlines and general aviation.

For passengers travelling to or from Polokwane International Airport (PTG), this translates into:

• Improved schedule reliability
• Increased operational safety
• Fewer disruptions during seasonal weather events

Peak season operations remain stable
ATNS has confirmed that the new procedure is aligned with its Peak Season Plan, implemented to manage increased air traffic volumes during the festive travel period.

According to ATNS:

• All air traffic services across South Africa’s national airspace system are operating normally
• No operational disruptions have been reported

This provides reassurance to travellers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

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South Africa: Temporary suspension of Instrument Flight Procedures at three airports [update #6]

update (30 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that scheduled flight operations at Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay may experience disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, specifically reduced visibility caused by rain and low cloud cover, combined with the absence of instrument flight procedures.   

update (27 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that scheduled flight operations at Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay may experience disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, specifically reduced visibility caused by rain and low cloud cover, combined with the absence of instrument flight procedures.     

update (25 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth may experience disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, caused by strong winds and low cloud cover. 

update (23 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth may experience disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, caused by strong winds and low cloud cover.

update (21 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mbombela/Nelspruit and Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane may experience disruptions today due to adverse weather conditions, specifically reduced visibility caused by low cloud cover, combined with the absence of instrument flight procedures.    

update (20 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mbombela/Nelspruit, Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane, as well as Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay may experience disruptions today due to adverse weather conditions, specifically reduced visibility caused by low cloud cover, combined with the absence of instrument flight procedures.   

update (16 October 2025): The ATNS has announced that Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane, and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mbombela/Nelspruit, as well as Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay may experience disruptions today due to adverse weather conditions, specifically reduced visibility caused by low cloud cover, combined with the absence of instrument flight procedures.  

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Ltd has issued an update (10 October 2025) regarding temporary suspensions and maintenance of instrument flight procedures at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane, and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mbombela/Nelspruit. These suspensions form part of ATNS’s ongoing Instrument Flight Procedure Maintenance Programme aimed at ensuring full compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth
The Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedure for Runway 26 has been temporarily suspended to comply with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) requirements and ATNS’s Safety Management System (SMS). The ILS for Runway 08 remains operational.
The revised procedure has already received SACAA approval and is expected to be reinstated by 27 November 2025. During this period, travellers may experience flight delays or diversions, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane & Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mbombela/Nelspruit
At both airports, flight procedures are also suspended as part of the same national maintenance programme. ATNS is currently undergoing a Flight Procedure Design certification renewal process under the South African Civil Aviation Regulations (SACAR).
Until this certification renewal is complete, the suspended procedures will remain inactive to maintain strict compliance with safety regulations. Once recertification is finalised, ATNS will promptly submit the procedures for SACAA approval. These suspensions may cause temporary flight disruptions at both airports.

Commitment to safety and compliance
ATNS emphasized its commitment to aviation safety, stating that it is working closely with SACAA and other regulatory bodies to ensure timely approvals and the safe resumption of normal operations across all affected airports.

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South Africa: Instrument Flight Procedure restored at Polokwane International Airport (PTG)!

The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa has announced the immediate reinstatement of the instrument approach procedure at Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane, Limpopo. This crucial flight procedure is now fully operational, enhancing air navigation safety and efficiency at the airport.
The reinstatement follows the exemption approval granted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) on Tuesday, 08 April 2025, covering flight procedures at several key South African airports, including Polokwane International Airport (PTG).

ATNS is also actively maintaining and updating flight procedures for the following airports:

• Richards Bay Airport (RCB) – Richards Bay
• Upington Airport (UTN) – Upington
• Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) – Bloemfontein

These procedures are expected to be submitted to SACAA by 30 April 2025. Upon approval, an Alternative Means of Compliance (AMOC) application will be filed, allowing temporary operational use of the updated procedures during the official publication process.

ATNS reaffirms its dedication to air safety, procedural accuracy, and service excellence across South Africa's aviation network. The organization will continue to keep stakeholders and the aviation community informed as progress is made through its Flight Procedure Maintenance Programme.

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South Africa: Airlink suspends flights to and from Polokwane International Airport due to safety concerns!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the suspension of flights to Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane in Limpopo. According to the airline, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has de-categorized the airport to CAT2, which is below the minimum level required for scheduled commercial air services. The current status of the airport therefore presents as an operational safety concern and it would be illegal to operate scheduled services at the airport. Airlink further announced that it is unable to ascertain at this stage whether Polokwane International Airport (PTG) will meet the minimum requirements for future services. The airline is currently the only airline offering flights to and from Polokwane.

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