Pretoria – The communication failure that caused flight delays at the OR Tambo (ORT) International Airport recently has been resolved.
“The ORT International Airport situation has since normalised and services have been restored,” Air Traffic Services Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) Chief Executive Officer Thabani Mthiyane said on Thursday.
Mthiyane said capacity for the airport and airspace in the form of Air Traffic Services were being delivered as per agreement with airspace users.
“Communication failure experienced was precipitated by an off-peak period reconfiguration of the control centre technical layout, meant to accommodate the installation and commissioning of new equipment.
“This regrettably, resulted in a temporary communication intermission,” he said.
Mthiyane has assured South Africans that the passengers’ safety was not comprised during this time.
He dismissed reports claiming that his staff had embarked in an industrial action as the regulation and control of air traffic was classified as an essential service.
“We will continuously monitor service delivery efficiency daily to ensure that the overall delays are kept to a minimum - at all times - and that the safety of all flight operations are not compromised,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
