Cape Town — The Richards Bay Airport (FARB) has been downgraded from a category 5 to a category 2 airport following fire safety concerns during a routine inspection.
The inspection, conducted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), found that the risks related to their fire and rescue services that do not meet the required safety standards under this grading, The Citizen reported.
Commercial airline Airlink confirmed the airport’s downgrade last week, which forced it to suspend flights between the Northern KwaZulu-Natal industrial port town and Johannesburg. SACAA spokesperson, Sisa Majola, confirmed that a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued in relation to the Richards Bay Airport in KZN.
“The NOTAM informed of the downgrade of the aerodrome from a Category 5 to a Category 2 due to safety concerns and non-compliance to Civil Aviation Regulations.” Majola said,
According to Majola, a category 2 classification means commercial aircrafts cannot fly in and out of the airport, permission is only granted for small aircrafts.
“The regulator will consider a higher aerodrome categorisation application as soon as FARB submits a corrective action plan that showcases compliance as well as the mitigation of safety risks that were identified at the airport.”
Richards Bay scheduled flights cancelled
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirm that Richards Bay Airport has been downgraded from a Category 5 airport to Category 2, until further notice. pic.twitter.com/lXrrBGPrOo— TAG Travel Assignment Group (@TAGTravel_Za) March 11, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
