Flights to Joburg back on, but technical issues spark delays at George Airport

Bad weather and the suspension of critical Air Traffic Navigation System (ATNS) procedures on Tuesday caused more headaches for passengers at George Airport in the Western Cape.

Several flights were cancelled at the airport on Monday after bad weather wreaked havoc.

FlySafair announced on Tuesday morning that its planes would continue to operate despite the bad weather.

Adding to the delays was the suspension of critical ATNS procedures.

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ATNS

According to the Department of Transport, “ATNS is responsible for the maintenance of flight instrument procedures such as the standard instrument departures, standard arrival routes, and en route procedures.”

“We are working diligently with ATNS to resolve the situation,” the airline said.

Flights are now set to depart from Johannesburg at noon.

These are the flights affected and their updated departure times:

• FA 220 is expected to depart Johannesburg at noon and is estimated to arrive in George at 2pm.
• FA 250 is expected to depart Johannesburg at noon and is estimated to arrive in George at 2pm.
• FA 258 is expected to depart Johannesburg at 12.30pm and is estimated to arrive in George at 2:30pm.
• FA 221 is expected to depart George at 2.35 pm and is estimated to arrive in Johannesburg at 4:25pm.
• FA 251 is expected to depart George at 2.40 pm and is estimated to arrive in Johannesburg at 4:35pm.
• FA 259 is expected to depart George at 3.10 pm and is estimated to arrive in Johannesburg at 5:05pm.

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Bad weather

FlySafair reports that heavy rain, low clouds, and strong winds are among the severe weather conditions affecting airport operations.

“[These conditions] have created conditions unsuitable for safe flight operations.”

On Tuesday, the South Africa Weather Service said there was a 30% chance of scattered rainfall in the George area.

Other delayed flights

The airline also announced delays in flights between Johannesburg and Durban, and Cape Town and Johannesburg due to technical issues on Tuesday.

• FA 298 is expected to depart Johannesburg at 8.15am and is estimated to arrive in Cape Town at 10:40am
• FA 299 is expected to depart Cape Town at 11:15am and is estimated to arrive in Johannesburg at 1:20pm.
• FA 344 is expected to depart Johannesburg at 1:55pm and is estimated to arrive in Durban at 3:05pm.
• FA 345 is expected to depart Durban at 3:40pm and is estimated to arrive in Johannesburg at 4:50pm.
• FA 288 is expected to depart Johannesburg at 5pm and is estimated to arrive in Durban at 6:10pm.
• FA 289 is expected to depart Durban at 6:45pm and is estimated to arrive in Johannesburg at 7:55 pm.

“We would like to extend our apologies to the customers of these flights for the inconvenience of this delay, and we thank them for their patience in allowing us to always act conservatively in the interest of safety.”

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