South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) issues have had a significant impact on airlines operating to, from and within the country during the year.
ATNS has been riddled with problems this year – ranging from staff shortages to the suspension of procedures for aircraft landing at various airports.
ATNS DEBACLE
Issues caused by ATNS throughout the year have put increasing pressure on airlines and aircraft operators’ financial performance.
This is by way of delays, flight diversions and placing aircraft in holding patterns.
But it is not only airlines feeling the pressure.
Delays, diversions, and cancelled flights also affect travellers on flights.
INCREASED COSTS FOR AIRLINES
ATNS’s woes have cost airlines large amounts of money during this year.
Chief Marketing Officer for FlySafair, Kirby Gordon, said these issues had resulted in significant cost increases for the low-cost airline.
Gordon said FlySafair had been incurring an additional R3 million in fuel costs each month.
This is due to flight delays, diversions, and aircraft being placed in holding patterns.
Airlink’s Managing Director, Rodger Foster, also said the ATNS debacle had led to spiking costs for Airlink.
SUSPENDED PROCEDURES
The problems began in July, when ATNS suspended procedures for instrument-navigation flight approaches at various airports across South Africa.
“More or less 10% of all of our flights since July 20 have been adversely affected. We’ve had numerous flight cancellations, flights diverted and an unbelievable number of flights put into holding patterns.” Gordon told Tourism Update.
ATNS ISSUES IMPACT AIRLINES
Aaron Munetsi, CEO of Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) said that one of its member airlines had reported incurring 3 892 delayed flights, 77 cancelled flights and 12 diversions between 19 July and 9 October.
“The cumulative delay time for just that one airline over this period was an eyewatering 91 075 minutes or 63,25 days.” Munetsi told Travel News.
Linden Birns, Managing Director of Plane Talking, an agency specialising in aerospace consulting and communications, said 10% of the flights to, from and within South Africa have been affected since July 19 when over 300 procedures were withdrawn.
“The net result has been aircraft standing in long queues with their engines idling and burning precious fuel – which is like burning cash – waiting to take off or being placed in holding patterns before being guided on to the approach path for landing.” Birns told Travel News.
He also said that airlines had been feeling the impact of this in terms of increased fuel consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Not only does the increased fuel burn lead to higher costs for airlines, but it also significantly affects the environment.
Increased fuel consumption also results in higher carbon emissions, which are harmful to the environment.
South Africa’s Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has engaged ATNS – hoping to bring an end to these issues.
Creecy is concerned about the issues at ATNS, after warnings by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) a year ago that due processes were not being followed at some of the country’s airports.
Have you been affected by flight delays, diversions and cancellations?
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