The SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has suspended certain air traffic navigation procedures at more than 10 airports due to non-compliance.

An affected procedure, for example, could be that the instrument landing system, usually used when visibility is poor, is suspended, according to Fin24.

This has already caused delays at some airports on Wednesday, according to an industry insider. Planes will still be able to land in good visual conditions.

SACAA yesterday confirmed that, as part of its routine oversight activities, the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) was audited in line with requirements of SA Civil Aviation Regulations.

Where it was found that ATNS was not compliant with the maintaining each flight approval procedure as prescribed, the ATNS had to submit a Corrective Action Plan ‘demonstrating the mitigation of safety risks that emanates from this non-compliance’.

While the SACAA found some of these mitigations acceptable, the ATNS had not submitted mitigation measures for all the affected procedures.

The airports affected by this decision include: Bram Fischer International Airport (Mangaung), Cape Town International Airport (Western Cape), King Phalo International Airport (Eastern Cape), George Airport (Western Cape), Kimberley Airport (Kimberley), Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (Gqeberha), Pietermaritzburg Airport (KZN), Pilanesburg Airport (North West), Polokwane International Airport (Limpopo), Richards Bay Airport (KZN) and Upington Airport (Northern Cape).

The International Civil Aviation Organisation is conducting a 12-day Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach audit of SA's civil aviation safety system and oversight capabilities.

Full Fin24 report