Are SA airlines at risk of losing access to US and EU airspace?

Loading player...
GUEST – Guy Leitch - Aviation Analyst



SOURCE: [BusinessDay News]



SA runs the risk of being denied access to US and EU airspace should it continue contravening laws that govern the investigation of civil aviation accidents.



Such a move would devastate tourism between SA and its key trading partners.

The risk, identified by the department of transport in its draft civil aviation policy, means EU and US airlines could also be barred from entering SA’s airspace, forming a double-edged sword pointed at Africa’s largest economy, which identifies tourism as a key economic growth lever.



This risk, which the department of transport will table before the cabinet, exists because SA has not established an independent body to investigate aviation accidents and incidents as required by annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, which demands accident investigations be conducted independently and impartially.



That task is carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is insufficiently independent of the government, according to the Chicago Convention.
28 May 11AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

One Year Into The Two-Pot System: How Much Have South African’s Withdrawn?

Guest - Nzwa Shoniwa, Managing Executive: Sanlam Umbrella Solutions From 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025, Sanlam Corporate paid out approximately R4 billion across 223 000 emergency-pot claims with R1 billion in tax flowing to SARS. On average, we are paying out about R150 million a month, but when…
11 Sep 10AM 14 min

Discovery Group Delivers 30% Rise In Profits

Guest - Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery South Africa and Discovery Bank Discovery has delivered record results, posting a 30% surge in profit and entering a new phase of scaled growth with its two main composites, Discovery South Africa and Vitality. We’re joined by Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery South…
11 Sep 9AM 18 min

FirstRand Post 10% Rise In Earnings And An Impressive 20% Return On Equity

Guest – Mary Vilakazi – CEO of FirstRand South Africa’s largest banking group, FirstRand, has posted a 10% rise in earnings and an impressive 20% return on equity – well above peers – despite economic headwinds. In this episode, we speak to Mary Vilakazi, the Group CEO, about what drove…
11 Sep 9AM 16 min

What Tractor Sales Tell Us About The State Of Agriculture In South Africa?

Guest – Thabile Nkunjana, Agricultural Economist Agricultural Machinery Sales indicate that August tractor sales of 700 units were 22% more than the 572 units sold in August last year. There have been welcome reactions from agricultural associations about the increase in machinery sales.
10 Sep 10AM 20 min