Aviation industry must brace itself for turbulence

SACAA was expecting higher than usual air traffic volumes during the Confederations Cup which begins on June 14.

“As would be expected leading up to and during the Confederations Cup, much of the transportation of supporters, players and officials will be by air, and this mode of travel will also feature prominently in many other activities in and around the host cities," SACAA CEO Colin Jordaan said.

"... the SACAA, with the collaboration of the department of transport, ATNS (Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company), SA Police Services and the SA Air Force needs to ensure that air safety and security measures are in place and are properly co-ordinated,” Jordaan told a media briefing in Midrand.

“Unfortunately one of those measures involves airspace restrictions around host cities, prior to, during and after each game.”

Jordaan said an Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement has been issued, which outlined specific temporary restricted airspace areas.

“This measure will affect areas and airports situated closer to the stadiums in the various host cities,” Jordaan said.

These airports include OR Tambo International, Lanseria, Rand, Grand Central, Bloemfontein and Pilanesberg.

Jordaan said a temporary airspace restriction would be placed on an 80km radius for OR Tambo International, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg airports from midnight on June 13 to midnight on June 28.

No restrictions would be placed on Durban and Cape Town airports as no games would be played in these cities.

Further airspace restrictions would be placed on the immediate vicinity (an eight kilometre) radius, around all the stadiums from two hours before a game starts, until an hour after the final whistle blows, Jordaan said.

Jordaan said there would be no additional security restrictions on any passengers flying on scheduled flights, as the current security measures in place at airports were adequate.

Source: Sapa

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