GEORGE NEWS - Airlines flying to George are concerned about the high possibility that some flights may be suspended by the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) during adverse weather conditions and after dark.
This follows the announcement last Friday, 19 July by ATNS that pilots must conduct visual approaches and that planes will not be allowed to land while relying solely on navigation instruments.
And with George's number plate registration, "CAW" an infamous acronym for "Cold And Wet", this is a real concern.
ATNS is conducting a maintenance programme for instrument flight procedures at various airports in SA including George, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mthatha and Richards Bay. Under the suspension, pilots may fly visual approaches, but this does not help during cloudy, misty or rainy weather, when instrument approaches are crucial.
Airlines concerned
Concerned CemAir CEO, Miles van der Molen, told Business Live that stormy weather might result in flights being diverted, delayed or cancelled and George's highly volatile weather conditions mean that the possibility of flights being affected, is high.
FlySafair's chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon, also expressed concerns that bad weather may limit flights to George and Airlink CEO Rodger Foster said they are willing to help the ATNS secure experts to hasten the review process.
Safety reigns supreme
In response to questions from George Herald on Tuesday 23 July, the head of corporate affairs and communications at the ATNS, Mphilo Dlamini, said no flights to George have been cancelled or suspended and that, if it happens, it will be to ensure passenger safety.
He said night flights will be delayed if "conditions do not permit safe visual approaches".
Affected flights will be redirected to Cape Town International Airport or Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha.
A source at the George Airport said on Tuesday 22 July that no flight disruptions in the form of delays or cancellations have occurred or are expected. "Nothing is wrong with our instruments and everything is operational. No interruptions are expected and everything is running smoothly," said the source.
Temporary problem
When asked how long the suspension will remain in place, Dlamini said that no definite timeline is available due to the complexity of the maintenance activities.
"The suspension is … temporary, and efforts are underway to complete the maintenance … as quickly as possible," said Dlamini.
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