Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Dr Chris Hunsinger MP.
The DA insists that Minister Barabra Creecy pays urgent attention to and addresses serious issues with air traffic navigation systems in South Africa, which have been fully exposed in Parliament today.
Reliable, trustworthy and safe commercial aviation is a cornerstone of a modern economy. Visitors and business people must be able to fly to South Africa, and around South Africa, with absolute confidence of safe aviation – or our economy and jobs will be at risk. It’s as simple as that.
The air traffic navigation systems ultimately fall to Minister Creecy and her Department of the national government to maintain and upgrade.
South Africa needs strategic and structural interventions to address the serious weaknesses in the air traffic navigation system.
Parliament heard shocking details that ATNS’s serious safety incident rate has risen above its own safety limit and has been steadily worsening since July 2025. This is a major warning sign that cannot be ignored.
Equally concerning are staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. At OR Tambo’s approach control unit, responsible for guiding aircraft during some of the busiest and most critical phases of flight, staffing levels are sitting at just 57% of target.
These issues are contributing to disruptions and delays to numerous flights and placing unnecessary pressure on South Africa’s aviation sector.
Airlink has previously warned that the suspension of more than 200 instrument flight procedures following failures at ATNS severely disrupted flights to and from Kruger Mpumalanga, Richards Bay and Polokwane, particularly in poor weather.
More recently, FlySafair said air-traffic constraints, particularly at OR Tambo International Airport, had become a factor in planning schedules and future growth. ATNS has disputed aspects of these claims, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability.
Issues around the reliable supply of fuel and airport security are also critical for Minister Creecy to take seriously.
What Parliament heard today demands action from the Minister, who is the person responsible for leading these issues to conclusion.
The DA will hold Minister Creecy to account for solving the issue of air traffic navigation shortfalls and risks.