Atns Procedure Status Foggy
Despite claims from ATNS in an April 8 press release, that instrument approach procedures for eight priority airports have been approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority SACAA, the picture that emerges is somewhat unclear
ATNS claims that all critical flight approach procedures at the eight priority airports, OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Port Elizabeth, Polokwane International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, George Airport and King Phalo Airport in East London, were submitted to the SACAA and have since been approved.
Furthermore, ATNS claimed that procedures at only three airports, Richards Bay Airport,Upington Airport andBram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein,have yet to be approved by the SACAA and these procedures were suspended on Tuesday, April 8. ATNS says these airports will only be accessible during visual meteorological conditions, with no access permitted during poor visibility.
Kirby Gordon , FlySafair's Chief Marketing Officer, explained that the carrier, which operates flights to Bram Fischer Airport, will still be able to operate to the airport using Visual Flight Rules but only when the visibility and cloud clearance permits this.
The nett result is that were going to have to keep a close eye on the weather and manage customer expectations accordingly, said Gordon.