Flysafair disrupted as Kruger Mpumalanga Airport instrument procedures remain suspended

DOMESTIC carrier Flysafair has confirmed that its flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) have been disrupted amid the suspension of the airport’s Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) for Runway 05.

- BANELE GININDZA

THE suspension, which affects aircraft operations in poor weather conditions, comes at a crucial time as South Africa's tourism sector gears up for the busy festive season.

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This is a setback that aviation stakeholders attribute to the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) missing key regulatory deadlines.

The suspension, which affects aircraft operations in poor weather conditions, comes at a crucial time as South Africa’s tourism sector gears up for the busy festive season. "Yes, unfortunately we are affected with flights into KMIA given the suspension of those flight procedures - obviously this is only in the relevant weather conditions - when weather is clear we can get in. We are reviewing each instance as it arises," said Kirby Gordon, Flysafair chief marketing officer.

"When the weather looks set to clear such that we will be able to operate we are looking at delaying operations and departing at better times, but in instances where the weather is due to change, we have had to cancel flights."