SOUTH African Airways (SAA) is optimistic that flights between Johannesburg and Malawi will resume later this week.

The airline cancelled flights due to the implementation of a corrective action plan following audit findings at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre relating to the condition of the airport.

“The airline advises customers that the airline is likely to resume flights between Johannesburg and Blantyre, Malawi on Saturday, 2 February 2019,” said the national carrier.

Read also: ‘Groot’ joy after penguin rescue from KZN beach

On 18 January, SAA made a decision to cancel flights between the two cities after the audit process, which confirmed that the airport was not fully compliant with the minimum standards required for SAA to operate in line with its licensing conditions.

“We took steps immediately after we suspended operations to Blantyre, and dispatched personnel from our head office to augment our staff in Blantyre to attend to the audit findings to ensure compliance with our licensing conditions,” said SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali.

SAA put together a Corrective Action Plan and submitted it for consideration by its regulator, South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

Read also: Parliament’s transport committee calls for stricter laws

The airline, working together with the Malawian authorities as well as stakeholders such as the Malawian Ministry of Transport and the local municipality in Blantyre, implemented the required interventions to return the airport to expected levels for safe operations.

SAA operates a three weekly service between Johannesburg and Blantyre (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays).

The airline apologised to its customers for the inconvenience caused by the closure.

For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram