Among the best: South Africa’s aviation rated tops

South Africa’s skies have been rated the safest on the African continent and are ranked among the world’s best, according to a recent audit.

By: Lorne Philpot

South Africa’s aviation sector has been ranked among the best in the world and also the safest on the continent.

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AVIATION AUDIT

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was in South Africa earlier this month, conducting an audit on the state of civil aviation in the country.

ICAO, which is an agency of the United Nations is tasked with promoting the safe and orderly development of civil aviation across the globe.

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HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS

South Africa is a signatory to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation as well as a Member State of ICAO.

By virtue of these agreements and memberships SA is obligated to comply with prescribed international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). 

SOUTH AFRICA’S SKIES

Though the audit led to disruptions at several airports across the country earlier this month when procedures for certain types of landings were not adequate at a number of SA’s airports, the International Civil Aviation Organization has confirmed that SA’s skies are not only the safest on the continent but are also ranked among the safest in the world.

The outcome of the audit process resulted in South Africa receiving an Effective Implementation (EI) score of almost 92% in preliminary findings.  According to Mail and Guardian, the final results will be known at the end of September.      

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SA RANKS TOP

This result is an improvement on the score SA was awarded in an audit that was conducted more than 5 years ago. The country scored 87% in the previous audit.

South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority’s director, Poppy Khosa said that the country has good reason to celebrate this accomplishment.

“We have reason to celebrate because what the international community has said is that South Africa is doing exceptionally well in meeting its obligations.” Khosa told ENCA

ALTERED AVIATION LANDSCAPE

A number of South Africa’s airlines including SA Express, Mango, British Airways (operated by Comair) and Kulula have all disappeared from the skies since the onset of Covid-19.  This has resulted in higher airfares due to an undersupply of airline seats

With the slowdown in tourism and aviation, due to the pandemic, the aviation landscape in SA has changed significantly but safety standards have not been compromised. The country’s aviation sector is still among the best in the world.   

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