---
title: "Relief for travellers and tourism as suspension of flights lifted at Mthatha and King Phalo airports"
description: "Flights at the airports had been suspended multiple times in the past few months due to bad weather as the instrument landing procedures were undergoing maintenance, but have now been approved."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "UP AND RUNNING"
author: "Estelle Ellis"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/estelle-ellis/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-10-relief-for-travellers-and-tourism-as-suspension-of-flights-at-mthatha-and-king-phalo-airports-lifted/"
published: "2024-10-10T12:38:16"
updated: "2024-10-10T12:57:33"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 340
---

# Relief for travellers and tourism as suspension of flights lifted at Mthatha and King Phalo airports

> Flights at the airports had been suspended multiple times in the past few months due to bad weather as the instrument landing procedures were undergoing maintenance, but have now been approved.

By Estelle Ellis · Published 10 October 2024, 14:38 SAST · Updated 10 October 2024, 14:57 SAST

## Key points
- In a welcome twist for weary travelers, Air Traffic Navigation Services has lifted the weather-induced flight bans at Mthatha and King Phalo Airports, proving that even the skies can be tamed with a little maintenance magic.
- Air Traffic Navigation Services has lifted the suspension of instrument landing procedures at Mthatha and King Phalo airports in the Eastern Cape.
- The airports faced multiple flight disruptions in recent months due to bad weather and ongoing maintenance.
- The resumption of operations is expected to alleviate challenges posed by severe weather conditions affecting flight schedules.
- The maintenance aligns with updated international aviation standards to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

## Content

On Thursday morning, Air Traffic Navigation Services announced that the suspension of instrument landing procedures at two Eastern Cape airports had been lifted.

Flights at Mthatha Airport and King Phalo Airport had been suspended multiple times in the past few months due to bad weather as the instrument landing procedures were undergoing maintenance.

Air Traffic Navigation Services spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini said they were happy to announce that the suspension of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) for Runway 14 at Mthatha Airport had been lifted, and that the runway was again available for operations.

He said the instrument flight procedures for Runway 11 at King Phalo Airport had also been approved.

> These developments are expected to provide relief to both Eastern Cape airports, which are vulnerable to severe weather conditions that lead to flight disruptions.

“These developments are expected to provide relief to both Eastern Cape airports, which are vulnerable to severe weather conditions that lead to flight disruptions,” Dlamini said.

Air Traffic Navigation Services started in July with the maintenance of instrument flight procedures at various airports.

These procedures are based on the South African Civil Aviation Authority and International Civil Aviation Organization Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aircraft Operations design criteria, which change from time to time. As part of the process, the procedures are being reviewed and updated to meet the current international criteria and advances in technology.

“The review process may require Air Traffic Navigation Services to suspend any procedures that do not comply with the new criteria or safety requirements. In cases where procedures are suspended, Air Traffic Navigation Services will communicate the outcomes through available platforms whilst ensuring an expedited maintenance review process as per the above-mentioned standards to minimise operational impact, among others, flight delays,” Air Traffic Navigation Services had warned in July.

Meanwhile, the Airports Company of South Africa announced that operations at King Phalo Airport in East London had returned to normal. All flights were suspended there on Tuesday due to bad weather and the maintenance of the instrument landing procedures. **DM**