Airlines Sound Alarm Over Potential Johannesburg Airspace Gridlock Ahead of G20

Airlines Warn of Potential Airspace Gridlock Ahead of G20

As Johannesburg prepares to host world leaders for the upcoming G20 summit, airline officials are raising red flags over the city’s skies. With no clear guidance from aviation authorities, carriers fear the city’s busiest airport could face unprecedented congestionand passengers may bear the brunt.

Flying Blind Into Summit Week

Airlines report operating “in the dark,” with no formal updates on flight procedures, instrument approaches, or traffic management plans. Industry insiders warn that the situation could mirror the logistical chaos of major past events, such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when King Shaka International Airport saw flight volumes more than double its normal capacity.

Unlike COP17 and previous BRICS summits, the upcoming G20 summit arrives amid ongoing challenges in Johannesburg airspace. Suspended instrument procedures, traffic flow control measures, and delayed approvals from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) are already slowing daily operations.

“Daily delays are already a reality. These disruptions are expected to intensify as G20 aircraft movements peak,” an airline insider said.

Instrument Approaches Stuck in Limbo

One key concern is the long-awaited instrument approaches, including the updated Polokwane approach, which is only expected to be available on 25 Decemberwell after the summit concludes. Without these procedures, flight planning remains cumbersome, raising the risk of bottlenecks at OR Tambo International Airport.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has yet to provide formal notifications or communicate how it intends to handle the surge in air traffic. Airlines have been left to rely on scattered updates, with no official guidance on standard instrument departures (SIDs) or arrivals (STARs).

Airlines Monitor, But Anxiety Grows

Lift Airlines and South African Airways confirm they have received no specific procedural updates and are continuing operations under normal monitoring protocols. Meanwhile, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has yet to clarify how it will manage passenger and aircraft flow during what could be Johannesburg’s busiest aviation event since 2010.

“We’re keeping a close eye on notices and recommendations, but without concrete guidance, uncertainty is high,” said a Lift Airlines spokesperson.

Social media chatter among frequent flyers reflects growing concern. Passengers have expressed frustration over potential delays, recalling previous instances when VIP and charter flights caused traffic jams on airport aprons, leading to missed connections and frustrated travellers.

A Wake-Up Call for Authorities

Industry insiders warn that if Johannesburg’s airspace is not actively managed, airlines could face significant operational headaches, and passengers could experience cascading delays. The summit may highlight gaps in South Africa’s aviation preparedness, not just for global events but for daily air traffic management.

For now, airlines continue to plan cautiously, aware that the countdown to the G20 leaves little room for error. For passengers, the advice is simple: expect the unexpected and allow extra time for flights in and out of OR Tambo.

{Source: The Citizen}

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