8 April 2021, 7:03 PM | Michael Makungo | @SABCNews
Image: FlickrAirlink, which was the only company providing flights to the airport, has also suspended its services due to the developments.
The Polokwane International Airport has lost its license to operate commercial air services over non-compliance with the required minimum standards. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) downgraded the airport to Category 2, which does not cater to commercial flights.
Airline company, Airlink, has stopped its flights to Polokwane after it was advised by the SACAA about the downgrade.
The suspension of flights to Polokwane by Airlink leaves the province without any commercial flight services.
DURBAN - Airlink has on Wednesday announced the suspension of flights to and from Polokwane.
This comes after a move by the South African Civil Aviation Authority to downgrade the Polokwane International Airport to category two, which is below the minimum level required for scheduled commercial air services.
The airport was found to be non-compliant with safety regulations.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority has found that the Polokwane airport is unable to provide the level of emergency, fire and rescue services required for an airport that hosts commercial flights.
Airlink CEO Rodger Foster said: “The safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft are paramount and this development at Polokwane left Airlink with no option other than to suspend all flights to and from Polokwane until such time as the airport has remedied the situation and is once again safe and fully compliant.”
Airlink pulls out
This information surfaced after Airlink announced in a statement on Wednesday that it was suspending all its flights at the airport with immediate effect.
The airline said that it was informed by the Sacaa on Tuesday night that the airport in Polokwane had been de-categorised.
“The current status of the airport presents as an operational safety concern, and it would be illegal to operate scheduled services at the airport,” reads the statement.
“It is regrettable that the airport did not advise Airlink of the impending threat of de-categorisation and its inability to provide the minimum level of emergency services required to maintain its aerodrome license category.”
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