Airlink Flights Disrupted as South Africa Works to Restore IFPs
South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services has warned that it may take up to two weeks to restore suspended Instrument Flight Procedures at Mbombela, following significant operational disruptions reported by Airlink at the airport serving Kruger National Park. The procedures were suspended after ATNS missed a renewal deadline, resulting in nationwide impacts on scheduled services.
An ATNS spokesperson said an exemption application was submitted last week to allow the procedures at Mbombela to return to use while full redesign documentation is reviewed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. A separate application for a permanent procedure design package has also been submitted for approval. The authority has already approved updated procedures for implementation on November 27 at Richards Bay, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, and both runways in Port Elizabeth, where one procedure is already active.
Airlink noted additional difficulties at Pietermaritzburg and Mthatha, although ATNS stated that all procedures at Pietermaritzburg are approved and operational, and procedures remain available for the main runway at Mthatha.
Airlink CEO De Villiers Engelbrecht said the airline is doing everything possible to minimize inconvenience, but the suspension of instrument procedures restricts aircraft operations in seasonal weather conditions, leading to delays and cancellations. Under normal conditions, flights to these destinations would operate without disruption.
ATNS suspended a total of 226 procedures nationwide in July 2024, with 207 still inactive as of the latest Notice to Air Missions database update. The reinstatement process is ongoing, with prioritization based on safety and operational impact.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com