The number of aviation accidents in South Africa has dropped by 50% since the 2013/2014 financial year – with a total of 144 accidents recorded four years ago compared to 72 during the 2016/2017 financial year. Furthermore, South Africa managed to retain its zero fatality rate for scheduled commercial operations over this period.
These are the preliminary findings of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (Icao) latest audit of South Africa’s aviation safety – in which the country was designated with a ‘No Significant Safety Concern’.
Yesterday’s (Monday) Icao announcement follows the organisation’s two-week visit to SA to conduct the audit. The final results will be revealed in a comprehensive report to be released in July.
“Once we receive the final report we will study it carefully and put emphasis on areas that may need improvement,” said Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi. The Icao report further highlighted that South Africa’s aviation industry had set ‘best practice’ benchmarks in areas such as airworthiness, legislation around accidents as well as accident investigations, he added.
“The ‘No Significant Safety Concern’ designation was an important one,” he said.
“It means our operators and airlines have the all-clear to fly into international airspace and that other countries’ operators aren’t prohibited from flying to us,” he commented.
Air Zimbabwe, for example, has been placed on the European Union Air Safety List for failure to comply with safety standards expected from airlines flying into the Eurozone.
The list means the struggling national carrier can no longer fly to Europe until it improves its safety standards.
