Air traffic operations at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) have fully resumed, as confirmed by Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS). The disruptions experienced on Sunday were primarily due to weather conditions, with initial reports attributing delays to staffing constraints.
“ATNS confirms that air traffic operations at O.R. Tambo International Airport are normal this morning, with services continuing as planned. However, the nature of aviation is such that operations should remain subject to constant close monitoring and evaluation,” said ATNS corporate affairs and communications head Mphilo K Dlamini.
This comes after an ATNS media statement on Sunday indicating that flight delays are being experienced at ORTIA. The service also said that delays were primarily due to temporary human resource constraints at the Air Traffic Control station.
However, in its update, ATNS clarified that “the flight diversions experienced on Sunday afternoon were not caused by human resource constraints, but were the result of severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, which temporarily affected safe aircraft operations within the O.R. Tambo International Airport airspace.”
“ATNS reiterates that safety remains its highest priority and continues to work closely with airlines, airport authorities, and aviation stakeholders to ensure the safe and efficient management of air traffic,” Dlamini said.
He added that regular updates will be communicated as required.
Based on ATNS’s initial statement, airlines updated their passengers on social media on the developments.
FlySAA said: “We regret to advise that some flights are currently experiencing delays due to staffing constraints at Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS). We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to passengers. We are working closely with the ATNS to minimise disruptions and restore normal operations as quickly as possible….”
FlySafair said: “We regret to confirm the delays to some of our flights due to human resource constraints within Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS).”
Airlink said: “Airlink sincerely regrets the delays caused to its flights this afternoon and this evening. We are working to recover the schedule and ensure that all passengers reach their intended destinations as soon as possible.”
The airline cited that the ATNS’s lack of sufficient staff to manage normal scheduled traffic at Johannesburg’s ORTIA caused the delays.
“Today’s schedule disruptions have had a ripple effect on all of our flights. In addition to departure delays from O.R. Tambo International, the shortage of air traffic controllers prompted a restriction on the number of flights permitted to be in Johannesburg’s airspace at any given time. This required the diversion of some flights to other airports, including Gaborone and Durban, leaving us with aircraft and flight crews out of position…” Airlink said.
Passengers reported delays of two or more hours, prompting some to request better communication from their airlines.
A passenger reported waiting two hours on the plane at ORTIA before departure.
“While I understand the safety of the storm caused the last bit of delay, but everything was late from before even boarding the plane,” the passenger said.
The passenger also said that SAA failed to provide adequate information about the delays before passengers boarded, indicating poor communication.
Another passenger said that after being delayed for hours, their bags were missing.
A third passenger asked their airline to improve their communication during flight delays as they were only informed of the delay when they were queued for boarding.
“Unfortunately, the distribution of meal vouchers added to the confusion, as it led to long queues at the selected restaurants. This resulted in a rushed and stressful experience once boarding resumed, as we were travelling with kids. It was very chaotic. However, we do appreciate arriving safely,” the passenger said.
A fourth passenger said: “My elderly parents (83 years old) were supposed to leave ORTIA at 7.35pm, but only left at 10.10pm. That’s a two-and-a-half-hour delay, which is ridiculous. They could have been advised to check in late to avoid the uncomfortable wait at the airport, with zero updates from staff.”
