The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) believes that the swift resolution of the issues that led to the temporary grounding of South African State-owned regional airline SA Express shows that the industry and the aviation regulator can work swiftly and effectively together to deal with problems. SA Express had its air operator certificate (AOC) temporarily suspended on the weekend of April 30 and May 1 by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). This grounded the airline’s entire 24-aircraft fleet.
“The AASA was naturally concerned at the suspension of SA Express’ AOC by the [SA]CAA on Saturday morning 30 April due to certain concerns which they had,” says AASA spokesperson Chris Zweigenthal. “These were issues that needed to be dealt with directly between SA Express and the [SA]CAA.”
The SACAA explained its action as follows: “[t]he suspension follows a series of non-compliances and the SACAA’s dissatisfaction with the operator’s safety monitoring systems.” The authority also said that SA Express’ proposed corrective action plan had been “inadequate” as it did not “satisfactorily address the findings raised”.
“It is clear that SA Express took the matter very seriously and provided the necessary documentation to satisfy the [SA]CAA to the extent that the suspension of the AOC was lifted the next day – that is, on Sunday, May 1, 2016,” pointed out Zweigenthal. “I believe that the fact that the [SA]CAA acted and SA Express quickly responded to the satisfaction of the [SA]CAA is an indication of the ability of the safety regulator and our airlines to work together to quickly address such areas of concern in the interests of the industry and the travelling public. This I would hope should enhance the good reputation that South Africa has of a safe airline industry operation.”
The SACAA announced on May 1 that it had lifted the suspension of the airline’s AOC because SA Express had provided the regulator with a revised plan of action to correct the concerns flagged by the SACAA. This revised plan was developed as a result of a number of “intensive” meetings between the two organisations.
“Whilst the suspension has been lifted, the SACAA will still continue to monitor and oversee the full implementation of SA Express’ corrective action plan,” assured the authority. “The SACAA will also intensify its oversight of the airline’s entire operation. . . . The SACAA wishes to reiterate that aviation safety and security is critical, and operators need to always ensure that their operations are safe and secure. “Commercial gains should never supersede the safety of the crew, passengers and the general public.”
It pointed out that suspensions of AOCs were never snap decisions nor used as reprisals, but were only implemented after “comprehensive engagements and attempts” by the authority to draw the operator’s attention to deficiencies and to try and assist it to meet the required standards and regulations. “Suspensions are therefore precautionary measures aimed at avoiding catastrophic incidences.”
The SACAA falls under the aegis of the Department of Transport. Self-Funded, its mission is to oversee and regulate the country’s civil aviation sector, in line with international standards. It maintains and advances a sustainable, safe and secure aviation environment. Its activities embrace, among other things, air safety operations, aviation infrastructure, aviation personnel licensing and aviation security.
SA Express operates a fleet composed entirely of twin-engined aircraft by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier. It is made up of both regional jet and turboprop airliners. The jets are ten 50-seat CRJ200s and four 70-seat CRJ 700s. The turboprops are ten 74-seat Q400s.