MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

EL airport needs full landing system calibration, not just “approval”

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Dear Editor

The DA in Buffalo City welcomes the news that the Instrument Landing System (ILS) flight procedure at the East London King Phalo Airport has been approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), but this is only the first step in the right direction.

Over the past few months, repeated shutdowns have been experienced at the King Phalo Airport.

On several occasions, flights were delayed or cancelled, and passengers had to cancel their travel plans. Many lost large amounts of money due to missed travel and missed connections.

However, King Phalo Airport is not out of the woods yet.

Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) has repeatedly failed to maintain its safety and navigation equipment and systems. The ILS still needs to be properly calibrated across the country. Without proper calibration, approaches by airplanes are unsafe and often impossible.

There are also still serious staff shortages among air traffic controllers.

As a key tourist destination and gateway to the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast, Buffalo City’s economy relies heavily on airport operations.

If tourists cannot fly into King Phalo Airport, it could lead to a substantial decline in tourism, severely impacting the local economy.

We will monitor the situation and request regular progress reports from the Department of Transport regarding King Phalo Airport to ensure that the ILS system is in fact functional and effectively working and that all milestones are reached.

The DA will fight to ensure that all tourism infrastructure, including King Phalo Airport, is prioritised so that we can bring lasting economic benefits to our communities.

Regards

Leander Kruger MPL
Buffalo City Constituency Leader

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