Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and Air Traffic and Navigation Services company (ATNS) have noted the incorrect information communicated to the public regarding night flights to the new King Shaka International Airport. It is not true that the airport will not be able to accommodate night flights from opening day on 1 May 2010, and during the World Cup period.
ATNS has advised the aviation industry that because air traffic controllers work in a highly regulated and safety critical environment, they are subject to various airspace and airport specific training requirements, including working the actual traffic at any new airport. This part of the mandatory, practical training could only start on opening day, 1 May 2010, which is no different to elsewhere in the world. The first stage of air traffic controllers conversion training by ATNS at King Shaka International Airport will be completed on 18 May 2010.
Whilst this conversion training is underway, the airport will continue to operate unaffected, receiving aircraft and passengers. There is therefore no need to cancel flights as the airport will be operating to the exact same schedule as the one that was in place at the old Durban International Airport.
As regards the 2010 FIFA World Cup, air traffic services at King Shaka International Airport will, in fact, be operated on a 24-hour basis from 1 June 2010.
Note to Editors
ATNS is the sole commercial provider of air traffic, navigation and associated services in South Africa providing a service to 20 aerodromes around the country including O.R. Tambo, Cape Town and Durban International Airports. Together over 685 000 aircraft arrival and departure movements are handled at the ATNS services aerodromes every year. Standing strong with over 900 employees ATNS strives to continuously provide safe and orderly management of air traffic navigational and associated services. ATNS is also responsible for the provision of aeronautical information used for flight planning purposes as well as amongst other search and rescue activities and the maintenance of a reliable navigation infrastructure.
Enquiries can be addressed to:
Anna Sanfilippo
Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS)
Tel: +27 11 961 0313
Cell: + 27 82 569 9863
Or Solomon Makgale
Group Manager Communications
Corporate Office
Airports Company South Africa
Direct: +27 (0) 11 723 1536
Fax to E-Mail: +27 (0) 86 602 0132
Cell: +27 (0) 82 781 8863
E-Mail: Solomon.Makgale@airports.co.za
