Planes grounded over safety issues
Aviation authority pulls plug on SA Express over non-compliance
HOURS after Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced the appointment of a new board at SA Express, the stateowned airline’s planes were grounded. The SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said in a statement SA Express “can no longer continue to operate as an airline”, after an audit at the airline and its maintenance organisation found “severe cases of non-compliance that pose serious safety risks”.
As a result, the SACAA suspended the air operator’s certificate and the aircraft maintenance organisation approvals.
The SACAA also suspended their certificates. Nine of the airline’s 21 aircraft were grounded after their certificates of airworthiness were suspended.
SA Express would have to make arrangements with the SACAA to fly its planes back to base. To operate, SA Express will have to reapply and be issued with the relevant approvals such as an air operating certificate, approval for the aircraft maintenance organisation, and certificates of airworthiness for the grounded aircraft.
The SACAA said it could not release details of the audit, but that it made 17 findings against the airline, including five “level one findings”. It describes a level one finding as severe non-compliance or non-conformance compelling the SACAA to use its “discretionary enforcement powers” to safeguard aviation safety.
“As the custodian of aviation safety and security in the country, the SACAA cannot turn a blind eye to any operation where there is evidence that safety measures are being compromised, because that poses a serious danger to the crew, passengers and public,” said SACAA director Poppy Khoza.
“The SACAA is fully aware and regrets the inconvenience and disruption this decision would have on passengers. But it is equally important to note that decisions to revoke licences are challenging, but necessary. They are in the interests of ensuring that the operator’s safety systems are beyond reproach and that its aircraft can take off and land at the intended destinations safely and incident-free.”
Gordhan said after the suspension of several executive managers for alleged corruption, he sent in an intervention team which uncovered serious misconduct.
“They found proof of payments to Trillian for R5.7 million for advisory services and capital-raising fees. Due process was not followed to hire (the Gupta-linked) Trillian.” – African News Agency (ANA)