Flight cancellation caused by equipment

It is part of the instrument landing system, which is a ground-based device that helps to guide landing aircraft so that they maintain a correct approach angle.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch on Tuesday (23 April), airport manager Michael Kernerkamp said they suspected water had contributed to damaging the glide slope equipment.

In addition to the bad weather he said coastal airports were affected by the salty sea air, which shortens the life span of the instrument landing system.

"The instrument landing system that we have in place at the moment is eight years old and has a life span of 10 years. However, the fact that it failed tells us that it has reached the end of its life span," Kernerkamp said.

It will cost R16m to replace.

"It is actually ironic that it failed when it did because we were planning to switch it off. This was scheduled to take place months ago.

"It is unfortunate that it failed a day before it was due to stop operatiing," added Kernerkamp. He said there would be no instrument landings at the airport as the one side of the glide slope had been switched off.

Kernerkamp urged customers to bear with the airport as the replacement process could take up to six weeks.

"It's a necessary replacement. Our customers need to bear with us until it is replaced. Once it's replaced it will be good for another 10 years and we'll be able to provide reliable services," Kernerkamp said.

He added that if there was bad weather during the replacement process, there could be diversions or even cancellations as there was no backup system in place.