Media Release Update: ATNS On Track to Conclude Instrument Flight Procedure Maintenance Programme
On Wednesday, 31 July 2024, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Limited updated all its major stakeholders, including airlines and the travelling public, that the ongoing instrument flight procedure maintenance programme needed to be carried out as part of routine global safety protocols. The procedures are based on both local and international design standards and are currently under review to align with global advancements in aviation technology and safety requirements.
“The key priority for ATNS is keeping the skies and our passengers safe, which therefore informed our decision in terms of our safety management system that procedures that do not meet the requirement should be suspended unless such non-compliances are mitigated,” says ATNS Chief Operating Officer (COO), Josia Manyakoana.
“We are pleased that progress is being made with regard to the maintenance programme, and that ATNS will be submitting all procedures related to the affected airports to the South African Civil Aviation Authority by the end of August 2024. We continue to strengthen our safety protocols in the design of these procedures hence the slight delay in finalizing the project.”
The state-owned company also mentioned that it was mobilising all available resources at its disposal to deliver on this project.?
ATNS revealed that during this process, the company has prioritised the lifting of suspensions for critical areas such as George Airport, Polokwane International Airport, Kimberley International Airport and Mthatha Airport.
ATNS also provided an update on the operational performance of the affected airports:?
1.?George:?There have been no cancellations of flights to date or delays in and out of this airport due to the suspension of flight procedures.
2.?Mthatha and Kimberley:?No cancellations of flights and or delays due to the suspension of flight procedures.
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3.?Polokwane:?There were cancellations of two flights on the 22nd?and 26th?of July, which was a result of weather and not necessarily related to the suspended flight procedures.
ATNS also shared that those negative impacts attributed to the company (but not directly linked to the maintenance programme) were experienced in Cape Town when a newly published flight procedure impacted traffic arriving at the airport on the 22nd of July which was, however, addressed the following day. At OR Tambo International Airport negative operational impact happens when one specific Runway (21) is used, especially during peak hours.?
ATNS continued to emphasise that the primary objective is to minimise any impact on safety and operational flight delays whilst maintaining the proud history and legacy of the South African aviation sector. The company also expressed appreciation for the support and partnership approach it receives from airline associations and various key stakeholders. ?
“Lastly, ATNS deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to all affected parties and stakeholders, who utilise our airspace regularly,” Manyakoana concluded.?
Ends//
Issued by the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Ltd
Chief Executive Officer at OUTA - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
3 个月I find this situation and the excuses by the ATNS unacceptable. Why are you apologising for the inconvenience caused, when all you had to do was ensure your internal processes were carried out, audited and updated accordingly. You have had ample time and notifications / alerts raised to do the work you are mandated to do. It appears there is a high degree of incompetence by your leadership and sadly, the ATNS has lost a significant amount of expertise, which in turn, has given rise to (apparently deliberate) outsourcing of the very functions that the ATNS should (and used to) conduct, at high cost to the ATNS. Is this part of the reason why the ATNS are seeking exorbitant fee increases? This is what happens when the Department of Transport, the CAASA and the ATNS Board reduce their oversight of such critical organisations. The airline industry is now picking up massive increases in costs due to flight diversions and other related challenges. The minister must now insist on an independent forensic investigation into the conduct at ATNS, and for civil society to contemplate delinquent director investigations of the executive and the board of ATNS.