On July 22, Airlink flight SA8141 from Johannesburg to Walvis Bay was unable to approach the airport due to a lack of land-based navigational equipment at Walvis Bay airport.
When the aircraft arrived overhead the airport the weather conditions were such that an instrument approach became necessary. However, the airport does not have the necessary navigational aids and the flight was forced to circle while it waited for the cloud to dissipate. Eventually, it diverted to Windhoek, where it refuelled before successfully returning to land at Walvis Bay.
“It has transpired that all instrument approaches in Namibia that are dependent on land-based navigational aids have been withdrawn from service with immediate effect by the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority,” the airline has said. This will affect Airlink at two airports, Windhoek (WDH), and Walvis Bay (WVB).
At WDH, an RNAV GNSS approach, which relies solely on aircraft-based navigational equipment, is in place, allowing Airlink to operate normally. But at WVB, there is currently no RNAV GSS approach, or any alternative to the withdrawn systems, meaning that its aircraft will not be able to approach the airport in windy conditions.
“We are aware that the Namibian CAA is in the process of designing and emplacing an RNAV GNSS approach at WVB, but there is no indication at this stage as to when this approach facility will be available. In the circumstances, Airlink will encourage this process to be expedited,” the airline said.
In the interim, if there are cloudy conditions and low fog at Walvis Bay Airport, Airlink’s flight will divert to Johannesburg or, if practicable, to Windhoek, to take on more fuel and attempt another approach to the airport.
