ACSA CLARIES THE KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONGESTION
As part of the preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), together with Air Traffic & Navigation Services (ATNS), provided a runway slot allocation system which allowed a set number of aircraft movements per hour in and out of each airport.
Up until yesterday, the system had been working perfectly, with the scheduled airlines and private operators adhering to the protocols and additional directives issued.
A series of events unfolded which culminated in the airspace congestion situation as witnessed yesterday at King Shaka International Airport:
Firstly, the Central Airspace Management Unit system (CAMU), operated by ATNS, failed between 4am and 8am, which resulted in ATNS manually allocating slots on a first come first served basis.
Private operators took advantage of the situation, in certain instances taking up slots which were not allocated to them, thus beginning the domino effect.
Secondly, between 05h00 and 12h00, King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) experienced lower than planned and expected arriving aircraft traffic. Aware of the game in the evening and the higher than normal air traffic volumes expected, ACSA KSIA management requested prioritisation of all flights with slots carrying soccer fans and FIFA family due to attend the semi final soccer match in Durban.
Thirdly, as traffic was beginning to pick up, weather related restriction were imposed at around noon time, which also led to a further 20 minute delays. The resultant increase in traffic volume in the Durban airspace was so high such that ATNS decided at around 14h00 to impose airspace restrictions. This meant that no aircraft could depart to KSIA for 30 minutes.
Fourthly, following the lifting of the restrictions, at around 17h00 eight private aircraft operators who had landed at KSIA failed to adhere to the directive to reposition aircraft at other airports outside of KSIA. This made it impossible for other aircraft to fly into the airport as aircraft parking bays were occupied.
In the end, six scheduled flights, (SAA 575, SA 1339, Kulula MN603, Kulula MN641, BA 6313 and BA 6307) were forced to either return to base or divert to other airports, preventing about 600 passengers from being in Durban for the semi-final match.
Monhla Hlahla, Managing Director of ACSA, said: "Since June 11 2010, our industry facilitated over 32 500 aircraft movements through-out the ACSA network of airports. This facilitation was undertaken with pride and passion to serve our country, region and 2010 FIFA World Cup fans. We regret that this incident has dampened the jubilant mood in the country and stained the impeccable efforts that went into preparing and facilitating air traffic during this prestigious tournament. I apologise to all South Africans, and most importantly, all fans that missed the opportunity to attend the semi-final in Durban."
Hlahla added that the Company is currently reviewing all pertinent facts around this matter and the legal implications and will take whatever steps necessary once all findings have been considered.
Statement issued by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), July 8 2010
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