Operations at OR Tambo International Airport have returned to normal following a day of significant disruptions that led to widespread flight delays and diversions, according to the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS).
The agency confirmed that the disruptions, which occurred during a peak travel period as holidaymakers return home, were the result of a two-part crisis: a temporary air traffic control staffing shortage followed by severe thunderstorms.
ATNS spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini, speaking from the agency’s offices in Bruma, provided a detailed account of the sequence of events. He clarified that initial reports of staff shortages were accurate for the early part of the disruption.
“What happened yesterday is that we were hit by what I can call a temporary human resource constraint in our workstation at OR Tambo International Airport air traffic control centre,” Dlamini stated. He explained that several controllers were unavailable due to illness and family emergencies.
To manage the shortage, ATNS enacted emergency contingency plans, which included implementing tactical measures such as spacing departures at three-minute intervals instead of the usual one to two minutes. This procedure caused a backlog of departures and initial delays across the network.
Later in the day, a second, unrelated challenge emerged. “We were then hit by what we call thunderstorms,” Dlamini said. The severe weather conditions over the eastern part of Johannesburg made it impossible for some flights to land at OR Tambo, leading to diversions to alternate airports like Lanseria.
Dlamini emphasized that while ATNS has systems like instrument flight procedures to manage weather, extreme conditions necessitate diversions for safety—a decision outside of ATNS’s direct control.
“The diversion element is not something that is within the control of ATNS. It is something that has to be done by the aviation industry for safety reasons,” he explained.
Regarding communication with affected passengers, Dlamini delineated the responsibilities. He described ATNS as a service provider to airlines and airport operators. While ATNS communicates directly with air operators, the primary responsibility for informing passengers about delays, cancellations, and diversions lies with the individual airlines.
“The responsibility to communicate with passengers lies with each and every airline because they are the customers of that particular airline. Then the airlines they are the customers of ATNS,” Dlamini clarified.
He assured the public that the temporary staffing issue has been resolved, with all necessary personnel back at work. “Today, as we speak, operations are normal… We are stabilizing the environment as we speak,” Dlamini concluded.
The agency stated its focus is now on maintaining stability, particularly as more inclement weather is forecast, and underscored its investment in staffing and systems within its control to ensure smoother operations.