SA Express grounding stops Bay flights

FLIGHTS in and out of Richards Bay were summarily stopped on Saturday after SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) pulled the plug on SA Express operations.

Citing safety as the critical issue, the SACAA suspended SA Express’ Air Operator Certificate, instantly grounding all the company’s aircraft.

This after SACAA audits revealed ongoing non-compliance issues, which were deemed to put the lives of passengers and crews at risk.

The suspension was considered ‘precautionary’ and SA has been given 30 days to appeal the decision.

But while matters are debated at high levels and the suspension will hopefully be short-lived, that is of little comfort to those who were left abandoned at airports and others who will have to change their travel plans.

While defending the company’s ‘impeccable safety record’ in the 22 years it has been operating, CEO of SA Express, Inati Ntshanga apologised to inconvenienced passengers and said everything possible was being done to mitigate the impact on customers.

Local travel agents were forced into quick reaction as they scrambled to notify and re-route passengers.

‘With the help of SA Express, we are re-booking them on other airline carriers,’ said Nicola Stone of WW Travel.

Acting District Manager: Airport Operations, Erica Bates confirmed all passengers at Richards Bay were bussed to Durban by SAX on Saturday and none were left stranded at the airport.

Typically, weekday flights cater for business trips to Johannesburg, while weekends are supported by family and leisure passengers.