South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, announced on Thursday, 30 January, in Pretoria the approval of a major overhaul of Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS). This follows the release of a preliminary diagnostic report by the Committee of Aviation Experts. Finalized this week, the report outlines urgent recommendations to stabilize and modernise ATNS, aiming to keep the country’s airspace safe, efficient, and globally competitive.
The Committee of Aviation Experts, established on 12 December 2024, was tasked with investigating the root causes of ATNS’s operational failures, with a specific focus on flight instrument procedures. Its findings, formally adopted by Minister Creecy and the ATNS Board, will be implemented immediately. However, the full turnaround strategy is expected to be rolled out over the next 18 months to three years.
The reform plan will focus on four critical areas, starting with staff recruitment. ATNS has suffered a significant loss of expertise, particularly among air traffic controllers, flight procedure designers, surveyors, technical support staff, engineers, and training instructors. This has directly impacted operational efficiency and safety. A structured recruitment drive will begin immediately, with full implementation expected within 18 months to three years.
In addition to staffing improvements, ATNS will undergo a comprehensive modernisation of its Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems. This upgrade will include enhancements to the Air Traffic Management System, improvements to the Air Traffic Flow Management System, and infrastructure upgrades aimed at minimising disruptions and increasing reliability.
Another key intervention will focus on the maintenance and restoration of instrument flight procedures, which have been at the center of recent delays and inefficiencies. Immediate action will be taken to ensure these procedures are properly maintained and fully compliant with aviation safety standards.
The restructuring process will also introduce stronger governance and accountability measures to prevent future failures. Clearer accountability frameworks will be established to enable streamlined decision-making and oversight.
Minister Creecy emphasized that the reforms would be implemented without delay, affirming that the ATNS Board and management, with guidance from the Intervention Committee, would begin executing the changes immediately.
These recommendations will be implemented immediately by the ATNS Board and management, with the advice of the Intervention Committee. My office will monitor progress closely, she stated.
She further stressed the importance of industry collaboration, noting that she would be meeting with aviation leaders on Friday to secure their support and cooperation.
I am confident that these actions will ensure South Africa continues to provide safe and efficient operations in its airspace,” Creecy added.
The Committee of Aviation Experts identified three major systemic failures affecting ATNS’s performance:
- Severe staffing shortages, particularly in air traffic services.
- Unreliable CNS systems, compromising navigation and communication reliability.
- Suspended flight procedures, caused by inadequate maintenance.
These ongoing challenges have led to flight disruptions, safety concerns, and reputational damage within the aviation sector. The overhaul aims to restore stability, rebuild trust, and enhance service delivery.
The Committee of Aviation Experts will continue advising ATNS for the next six months, ensuring that all recommendations are effectively implemented. The panel includes aviation specialists Wrenelle Stander, Sibusiso Nkabinde, and Peter Marais, who bring extensive experience in air traffic control operations, aviation safety, and regulatory compliance. Their expertise will be instrumental in guiding ATNS’s transformation, ensuring South Africa maintains its leadership in African air traffic management.
The ATNS overhaul marks a pivotal moment for the country’s aviation sector. With Minister Creecy’s approval and immediate intervention measures, ATNS is set to regain operational stability, strengthen safety protocols, and improve service efficiency.
Aviation industry stakeholders, government officials, and travelers alike will be closely monitoring the progress of these reforms. Minister Creecy reaffirmed her commitment to driving this transformation forward, adding:
We are taking decisive action to rebuild ATNS into a world-class aviation service provider.
With these urgent measures now in motion, South Africa’s airspace is set for a safer, more efficient, and more reliable future.
