South Africa: ATNS updates navigation at key airports! [update]

update (29 April 2025): The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa has announced significant progress in maintaining Instrument Flight Procedures. During March and April 2025, ATNS has been able to submit all nine priority approach procedures for OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth, and King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Two of these procedures have already been approved, with the remaining seven currently undergoing ground validation.
ATNS recognises that there is still a lot of work to be done, especially the maintenance of the arrival and departure procedures at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Furthermore, ATNS is pleased to report that all 19 priority arrival and departure procedures for OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) have been submitted and approved by the SACAA. The publication of six of these arrival and departure procedures will become effective on 15 May 2025. The rest will become effective from June 2025 onwards.
Through our international Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) headhunting initiative, ATNS has recruited 18 ATCOs. 17 have accepted employment, with one still in negotiation.

The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa, in close collaboration with the Ministerial Intervention Team (MIT) appointed by the South African Minister of Transport, has taken decisive action to ensure the safety and efficiency of the country’s airspace. Maintenance of critical Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) has been prioritised to guarantee that key network airports across South Africa remain fully equipped with essential instrument approach capabilities.

All vital flight approach procedures have been submitted to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and received official approval. This includes updated instrument approach procedures at the following major South African airports:

• OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) – Johannesburg
• King Shaka International Airport (DUR) – Durban
• Dawie Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) – Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) – Cape Town
• Polokwane International Airport (PTG) – Polokwane
• Lanseria International Airport (HLA) – Johannesburg
• George Airport (GRJ) – George
• King Phalo Airport (ELS) – East London

These updates help maintain safe and reliable air travel across South Africa, especially during poor weather conditions, ensuring smooth connectivity for both domestic and international passengers.

As of 08 April 2025, flight procedures at the following airports in South Africa are temporarily suspended due to pending maintenance:

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

Until maintenance is completed, these airports will only be accessible under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). This means that flights will only operate during clear weather with no instrument approach access available in low-visibility or adverse weather conditions.
ATNS has confirmed that restoring full operational procedures at these regional airports is a top priority, with efforts underway to resume safe and weather-independent operations as soon as possible.

In a positive development, ATNS has announced that ten new Air Traffic Controllers have accepted job offers and will begin joining the organisation in the coming months. This boost in personnel will significantly enhance ATNS’ capacity to manage and maintain safe, efficient, and uninterrupted air navigation services. Recruitment for additional critical skills remains ongoing.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

East London: ATNS secures approval for Runway 11 instrument landing system at King Phalo Airport (ELS)!

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), the company that provides air traffic, navigation, training and associated services within South Africa, has announced that the instrument landing system (ILS) flight procedure for Runway 11 at King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London has been approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). According to ATNS, this ensures that both runways, 29 and 11, at the airport will have valid procedures in place. As a result of this development, flight operations at King Phalo Airport (ELS) are expected to improve, reducing the likelihood of flight disruptions as witnessed recently. We'll keep you posted!

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Garden Route: CemAir suspends flights to Plettenberg Bay until April 2025! [update]

update (09 January 2025): CemAir confirmed earlier today that flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay remain suspended due to the continued downgrade of the airport by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
According to the airline, it remains committed to resuming services as soon as the airport meets the necessary certification requirements.

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that the suspension of flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay has been extended to 10 April 2025 due to the continued downgrade of the airport by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The airline hopes that by April 2025 the airport will have regained its Category 5 certification, which will allow CemAir to resume its scheduled service
All flights booked from Johannesburg to Plettenberg Bay until 10 April 2025 date will automatically be rebooked on CemAir's service to George Airport (GRJ) in George. Passengers will receive an automated booking change notification with new flight details.
For CemAir's Cape Town passengers travelling to Plettenberg Bay the airline will be introducing a flight between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and George during peak periods. Passengers travelling on these days will receive an automated booking change notification with their new travel details. Passengers travelling on days where no alternative CemAir flight is available will be provided with a credit for the value of their fare.

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Plettenberg Bay: Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) has been shut down by the South African Civil Aviation Authority! [update #2]

update (10 October 2024): The Bitou Municipality announced on 12 September 2024 that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has issued a Category 2 airport license to Garden Route Aero, the entity contracted to manage Plettenberg Bay Airport. This is good news for the airport t as the license allows General Aviation Activity (GAA) to resume immediately. Private and non-scheduled commercial aviation operations are allowed to resume, supporting local aviators, private flights, and charter services. Under the Category 2 license conditions, the airport remains restricted from accommodating scheduled commercial aircraft.

update (03 August 2024): South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that it has once again suspended all flights to and from Plettenberg Bay Airport/ Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay with immediate effect. Flights are currently suspended until 15 November 2024.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has shut down Plettenberg Bay Airport/ Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay with immediate effect on 31 July 2024. The civil aviation authority of South Africa informed the Bitou Municipality, the airport’s licence holder, that Plettenberg Bay Airport’s Aerodrome Operating Licence had been suspended. According to the SACAA, the main reason for the suspension is the runway, which posed a “significant safety risk”.
In the meantime, the Bitou Municipality Council has resolved to appeal the South African Civil Aviation Authority's decision to suspend the operating license of the Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ). We'll keep you posted!

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Plettenberg Bay Aerodome: CemAir resumes operations on a limited schedule!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that its service between Cape Town Interrnational Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay will remain suspended, while the service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay will recommence on 25 July 2024 on a limited schedule. The airline will initially operate four weekly flights on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between the two destinations.
According to CemAir, the airline received a call from the Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome manager on 02 July 2024 stating that the Airport license issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) was expected to be suspended the following day. The reason provided was that during a recent SACAA audit an unaddressed finding relating to the condition of the runway and taxiway had been escalated to the highest level.
As a result, CemAir terminated all flights into Plettenberg Bay from both Johannesburg and Cape Town with immediate effect up to and including the end of November 2024. This was the anticipated period for the runway work to be scoped, planned and completed.
On 03 July 2024 a further communication was received indicating that Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) would not be closed as the SACAA had accepted a phased action plan and would assess progress of the plan on 31 July 2024.
Despite this, on the 07 July 2024, the Bitou Municipality, which owns Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ), issued a contradictory media statement advising that after careful consideration they had decided to close the Airport from 31 July 2024. Subsequently this was again amended on 09 July 2024 to state that a plan was in progress and airport interruptions were still to be advised. No airport closure dates have been confirmed. We'll keep you posted!

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Airlink suspends flights to Richards Bay after airport downgraded! [update]

update (11 March 2024): South African regional and domestic carrier Airlink just announced that it will resume its normal Richards Bay flight schedule from tomorrow (12 March 2024) morning. This follows the reinstatement of ichards Bay Airport's (RCB) fire and rescue approval to accommodate scheduled airline operations. 

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has downgraded Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal from category 5 classification to category 2 classification due to safety concerns and non-compliance to Civil Aviation Regulations. As a result, the airport is not permitted to land commercial aircraft and is only granted permissions for small aircraft. According to SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola, the downgrade followed an inspection by the regulator which identified the risks related to their fire and rescue services that do not meet the required safety standards under this [category 5] grading.
South African regional and domestic carrier Airlink, the only airline offering scheduled operations to Richards Bay Airport (RCB), has suspended all air services to and from the airport. Holders of tickets for flights with Airlink between Johannesburg and Richards Bay are advised to contact the airline to be rebooked for travel at a later date, or to another destination (e.g. Durban), or to request a refund.  

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Comair suspension lifted, Kulula and British Airways flights to resume!

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has uplifted the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Comair (Pty) Ltd. with immediate effect. This brings to an end a five-day long suspension of the AOC which was imposed by SACAA from 12 March 2022. The SACAA audited Comair (Pty) Ltd. following a spate of occurrences that posed safety risks by kulula and British Airways (operated by Comair in South Africa) airlines, which resulted in a temporary suspension of the AOC. British Airways (operated by Comair in South Africa) and kulula flights will start operating again from today (17 March 2022). The airline's schedules will be restored in a phased manner, and customers are advised to check the schedules on the British Airways' and kulula's websites before going to the airport. 

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: British Airways and Kulula flights are currently grounded! [update]

update (13 March 2022): Following the 24 hour precautionary suspension of Comair (Pty) Ltd.'s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has confirmed that the AOC is now indefinitely suspended. According to SACAA, Comair has not adequately addressed all the necessary safety issues. We'll keep you posted!

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) earlier today suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Comair (Pty) Ltd. This affects all British Airways (operated by Comair) and kulula.com flights. According to a media statement by SACAA, this is a precautionary suspension for a period of 24 hours, within which Comair must demonstrate to SACAA that the risk and safety management systems are effective in managing potential hazards. Three of Comair's planes have been involved in mid-air emergencies in the last month. We'll keep you posted!

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

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.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: CemAir to resume operations after months of being grounded! [update]

update (29 October 2019): Effective 28 November 2019, CemAir will operate three weekly flights on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays between Johannesburg <> Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town <> Plettenberg Bay. The airline is planning to operate daily flights on the two routes between 04 December 2019 and mid-January 2020.

update (23 October 2019): CemAir has announced that starting 08 November 2019 it will be operating daily flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Margate Airport (MGH) in Margate.

South African regional carrier CemAir has received two renewed Aircraft Operating Certificates (AOCs) from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) on 17 October 2019 meaning that the airline can again operate commercial flights on its South African registered aircraft. In the coming week, CemAir will announce the first flights to be resumed on its domestic schedule. According to a press release, the airline is planning to provide flights to Margate and Plettenberg Bay the upcoming holiday season with the possible addition of other destinations. We'll keep you posted!

CemAir's operations were suspended by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in December 2018 due to what SACAA called "concerns over the systematic failure of the airline's maintenance controls".

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Airlink to increase flights between Johannesburg <> Mthatha!

South African regional carrier Airlink will re-introduce its midday flight between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on 7 March 2019. The additional midday flights will be operated Mondays to Fridays and will depart from Johannesburg at 12:00 and arrive in Mthatha at 13:15. The return flight will depart from Mthatha at 13:35 and arrive in Johannesburg at 14:50. The service will operated on board an Embraer 135 regional jet.
Airlink resumed services between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg  and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha on 19 February 2019 after the Mthatha Airport's brief suspension by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in January 2019.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

SA Express to increase flights between Johannesburg <> Mthatha!

South African regional carrier, SA Express, is set to add a second frequency between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape commencing on 25 February 2019. The morning flight will depart Johannesburg at 06:00 arriving in Mthatha at 07:30, with the return flight departing at 08:10, landing at in Johannesburg at 09:40. The afternoon flight will leave Johannesburg at 15:30 for a 17:00 arrival. The return flight will depart Mthatha at 17:40 and will arrive in Johannesburg at 19:10.
SA Express resumed services between OR Tambo International Airport and (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha on 21 February 2019 after the Mthatha Airport’s brief suspension by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) last month.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

SA Express to resume flights between Johannesburg <> Mthatha!

South African regional carrier, SA Express, will resume its operations between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape starting 21 February 2019. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is satisfied that the airport has addressed its shortcomings and the airport is open again for schedule services. SA Express will operate a daily service between Johannesburg and Mthatha between Sunday and Friday with the intention of increasing frequency in the coming weeks.

• Johannesburg 15:00 > 16:40 Mthatha
• Mthatha 17:10 > 18:40 Johannesburg

Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha was closed by the SACAA since 25 January 2019 due to the sub-standard rescue and firefighting response times, as well as a lack of aerodrome emergency management systems. 

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Airlink to resume flights between Johannesburg <> Mthatha!

South African regional carrier Airlink will resume flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on 19 February 2019. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is satisfied that the airport has addressed its shortcomings and the airport is open again for schedule services.
Airlink will provide early morning and late afternoon return flights using one of its Embraer 135, 37 seats regional jets Monday to Friday. An early morning flight will operate on Saturdays and an afternoon flight on Sundays. Additional flights will be added to the schedule as the route returns to normality.
Mthatha Airport (UTT) was closed by the SACAA since 25 January 2019 due to the sub-standard rescue and firefighting response times, as well as a lack of aerodrome emergency management systems. 

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Airlink to resume flights to Mthatha using a smaller aircraft!

South African regional carrier Airlink just announced that it will resume flights betweenOR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha on 28 January 2019. Due to the airport downgrade from Category 4 to Category 3 (Rescue and Fire Fighting Services) by the South African Aviation Authority (SACAA) earlier today (25 January 2019), the airline will temporarily provide three daily return flights using its 29 seat Jetstream 41 aircraft with restricted capacity. Affected passengers are advised to contact Airlink for further information. We'll keep you posted!

South Africa: SA Express & Airlink temporarily suspend flights to Mthatha! >>

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: SA Express & Airlink temporarily suspend flights to Mthatha! [update]

update (25 January 2019): Airlink to resume flights to Mthatha using a smaller aircraft! More info >>

The South African Aviation Authority (SACAA) has downgraded Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape from 25 January 2019 following a negative audit finding against it. This means that the airport is currently unable to accommodate safe scheduled passenger air services. Due to the downgrade, South African regional carriers SA Express and Airlink have both temporarily suspended flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Mthatha Airport. Affected passengers are advised to contact the airlines for further information. We'll keep you posted!

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Cemair remains grounded!

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) just released a media statement regarding South African regional carrier Cemair. According to the statement the Johannesburg High Court has dismissed Cemair's urgent application to overturn SACAA's suspension and grounding notice on 23 January 2019. This means that Cemair's Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) remain suspended until such time. Due to the suspension of the AOCs, CemAir cannot operate as an airline in South Africa. The SACAA grounded Cemair on 11 January 2019 due to concerns over the systematic failure of the airline's maintenance controls. 

South Africa: The South African Civil Aviation Authority has grounded CemAir AGAIN!

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has grounded South African regional carrier CemAir again (!) with immediate effect. According to a press release released on SACAA's Facebook page, the suspension of the airline's Air Operator Certificates (AOC) was necessitated by the SACAA's concerns over the systematic failure of CemAir's maintenance controls. We'll keep you posted!

South Africa: The South African Civil Aviation Authority has grounded CemAir! [update] (14 December 2018) >>

South Africa: Cemair to restore service as soon as possible! [update] (18 December 2018) >>

South Africa: Cemair to restore service as soon as possible! [update]

update (19 December 2018): CemAir flights will be resumed on 20 December 2018. All bookings will be valid for travel.

update (19 December 2018): The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has released a media statement regarding South African carrier CemAir. According to the statement, the airline, which was grounded by SACAA on 14 December 2018, will finally comply with its operating certificates conditions. Following an order of the High Court, CemAir's Air Operator Certificates (AOC) are temporarily lifted with conditions. 



South African regional carrier Cemair just announed on Facebook and its website that its urgent application in South Africa's High Court to overturn the suspension of its Air Operator Certificates (AOC) by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has been successful. In the coming hours, the airline will announce plans to restore service as soon as possible. We'll keep you posted!

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: The South African Civil Aviation Authority has grounded CemAir! [update]

update (14 December 2018): Cemair regrets the indefinite suspension and rejects the reasons offered by the SACAA for their decision. According to a statement on facebook, the airline can currently not offer alternative solutions to their custoners and advises its customers to book an alternative journey to their destinations. Cemair will advise at the soonest possible time about a refund process for bookings with the airline. 

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has grounded South African regional carrier CemAir by suspending two of the airline's Air Operator Certificates (AOC). As a result Cemair can no longer operate as an airline or air operator or fly any of its 21 aircraft in South Africa. SACAA said in an official statement, that “These myriad of identified non-compliances bring to the fore the fact that the actions and conduct of this operator pose a serious and immediate threat to safety". We'll keep you posted!