Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, delivered an update on key aviation entities during the Transport Budget Vote Report in Parliament on July 2, outlining financial recovery, infrastructure development and regulatory reforms across the portfolio.
SAA
Creecy focused on SAA’s return to profitability, as per its 2022/23 financial year results. “Now operating independently and no longer reliant on government guarantees, SAA is self-funding its operations and fleet growth, while remaining open to a strategic equity partner as part of its long-term restructuring,” she said.
According to a report by Oxford Economics Africa, SAA contributed R9,1 billion to the GDP in 2023/24 and is projected to contribute R32,6 billion by 2029/30 while also supporting an additional 61 700 jobs.
SAA is also pursuing fleet and route expansion to grow its regional and global network.
Acsa
“In order to meet our target of moving 42 million passengers per year through the Acsa network of airports, the entity has allocated R21,7 billion for infrastructure development,” said Creecy.
This allocation will be used to improve facilities for passenger safety and comfort over the medium term. It is also being used to expedite projects for the general upkeep and upgrading of airport facilities and technologies to improve security of passengers and cargo.
Additionally, the department is fast-tracking projects to ensure reliable availability of jet fuel to airlines at all airports.
ATNS
Creecy explained that her panel of experts assigned to investigate ATNS’s challenges had identified shortages of critical staff needed to support safe navigation and operations, poor maintenance of navigation and surveillance systems, lapsed flight procedures and systemic weaknesses in the safety management system.
With regard to the lapsed flight procedures, Creecy said there was work still to be done.
“There are still too many instances, more than we are comfortable with, of operations that are dependent on alternative means of compliance or exemptions. ATNS is putting in place a Project Office to drive the elimination of the backlog that has formed over the past few years.”
ATNS has also had successful recruitments for essential positions, including air traffic controllers, investigators and safety specialists, engineering instructors and simulator programmers.
Similarly, she reported that progress was being made with the urgent upgrades of communication, navigation and surveillance systems. Procurement processes are being rolled out to stabilise and upgrade ATNS systems.
In addition, the resourcing of SACAA’s independent Aviation Safety Office is under way, with 10 of 18 positions filled.
Licensing Councils
The Air Services Licensing Council and International Air Services Council recently appointed new members to regulate access to the domestic market and control international air services.
The Councils have been instructed to develop an audit of all outstanding applications for air service licences and Foreign Operator’s Permits and review the licence renewal workflow to cut red tape.
