By Dylan Bettencourt
- Outdated systems and a shortage of staff have crippled SA’s air traffic control.
- Flight delays, safety risks and a new pilot strike are making travel harder for everyone.
South Africa’s air traffic control system is falling apart, causing major delays, flight cancellations and growing safety concerns.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed this week that a lack of skilled staff, failing equipment and poor management at Air Traffic & Navigation Services (ATNS) are to blame.
She said urgent steps are being taken to fix the problems after a damning report showed that ATNS had ignored serious safety warnings. But aviation experts are worried it might be too late.
“The system is in crisis,” Creecy admitted, adding that some high-risk issues have been addressed, while others will only be fixed by the end of March, Daily Maverick reported.
If ATNS fails to meet international safety standards by 10 April, South Africa could face sanctions that would affect passengers, airports and airlines.
For years, ATNS has struggled to keep skilled workers. Many have gone overseas for higher salaries.
New recruits take up to three years to qualify, and hiring is too slow to keep up.
Outdated systems have also made things worse. Equipment that controls air traffic has been unreliable due to poor maintenance. In 2024, 326 flight procedures were suspended because ATNS failed to file the required safety paperwork.
That means pilots often have to fly by sight in poor weather — putting lives at risk.
Airlines are already feeling the impact. Between July and October 2024, nearly 3,900 flights were delayed and 77 were cancelled. FlySafair.
The Airlines Association of Southern Africa have slammed ATNS, saying the problems were avoidable.
Despite getting R4.1 billion in funding last year, ATNS failed to upgrade systems or hire enough staff. CEO Nosipho Mdawe was suspended in February, but it’s unclear if the new leadership can turn things around.
To make things worse, South African Airways pilots launched a ‘work-to-rule’ strike on Tuesday, adding more pressure to the already strained system, The Kempton Express reported.
Pictured above: Barbara Creecy.
Image source: @MyANC
