Latest news with #SACAA
Zawya
01-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Durban to host global aviation workforce summit in August
Aviation leaders from around the world will gather in Durban from 12–14 August 2025 for the 3rd Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit, jointly hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The summit comes in response to aviation's growing need for a qualified, inclusive and future-ready workforce to support long-term growth and resilience across the sector. Millions needed to fill global aviation roles According to ICAO forecasts, by 2037 the sector will require more than 665,000 aircraft maintenance technicians, 554,000 pilots, 922,000 cabin crew members and 106,000 air traffic controllers. These figures represent only part of the broader workforce demands in the global aviation ecosystem. South Africa, through its role in the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative, is expected to contribute to job creation across the continent, with nearly 600,000 jobs forecast to be generated in Africa alone. "South Africa, alongside its African partners, is dedicated to ensuring that Africa's unique concerns ranging from safety, security, infrastructure to environmental sustainability are addressed," says Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy. Coordinating global action The NGAP Summit will provide a platform for governments, industry players, training institutions and youth representatives to align on strategies to develop aviation talent pipelines. "I am certain that there will be a lot of insights and recommendations that the sector will take forward from the various 2025 NGAP Summit deliberations," says Poppy Khoza, director of civil aviation at SACAA. "With South Africa a leading voice in many ICAO platforms on global aviation matters, we also look forward to hosting a number of our fellow Member States in our country, and to see them collaborate on some ideas with their South African counterparts." Focus on innovation and inclusion Held under the theme , the summit will spotlight innovative training methods, technology-enabled learning, and sustainable career development, with a strong focus on youth and emerging markets. "Every State has an interest in securing the talent required for a safe and resilient future for international civil aviation. This is particularly vital for youth and communities in parts of the world where aviation can be a powerful catalyst for sustainable development," says Salvatore Sciacchitano, president of the ICAO Council. Building partnerships and policy frameworks The summit supports the implementation of ICAO's NGAP Strategy, which promotes advocacy, workforce forecasting, training, and outreach. It is also aligned with ICAO's Strategic Plan 2026–2050, which places human development at the centre of global aviation objectives. "The ICAO 2025 NGAP Summit will help ensure that no State is left behind in benefiting from the opportunities that aviation can offer," says Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO secretary general. "ICAO is working with partners around the world to build the infrastructure, training capacity, and education partnerships needed to develop tomorrow's aviation professionals, especially in countries where investment in people can drive broader transformation." All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Citizen
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
ACSA to act over security breach at ORTIA
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has said it is taking action following a security incident at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) involving a passenger found with two training hand grenades after arriving in Ethiopia. In a media statement, ACSA confirmed that the passenger, who departed from ORTIA, was found with the grenades during reverse baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines formally notified ACSA of the incident in line with international aviation protocols, and ACSA reported the matter to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). READ: ACSA sets sights on air cargo growth in Africa through OR Tambo The security breach occurred in the Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) area, which is under the operational control of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), a third-party entity controlled by the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA). 🚨 🇿🇦➡️🇪🇹 Two training grenades slipped past security at OR Tambo and were only caught at Ethiopia's Bole Airport-known for some of the tightest airport security in Africa. Now SA's busiest airport is facing a R2m fine. Serious questions being asked. — Ethiopia (@Ethiopiaa1st) July 22, 2025 While ACS claims that airlines are responsible for HBS, ACSA maintains, along with SACAA, that ACSA, as the licensed aerodrome operator, is responsible for providing HBS on behalf of the state. ACSA has decided to terminate ACS's services, stating that ACS has no legal contract to perform HBS services and is operating contrary to public procurement laws. According to ACSA, ACS has accepted responsibility for the security lapse and has instituted disciplinary action against the employee involved. Historical context ACSA stated that ACS took over HBS operations from ACSA around 1998 under questionable circumstances, prompting ACSA to report the matter to the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Auditor-General. ACS has been operating without a contract on an evergreen basis and is not recognised under civil aviation legislation. READ: EduFeArn and ACSA empower learners with mathematics dictionaries To address compliance issues, ACSA moved to insource HBS services and issued a tender to purchase the necessary equipment. However, ACS challenged this decision in court, obtaining an interdict that prevents ACSA from implementing its insourcing plan until a court review is finalised. ACSA has been granted leave to appeal the interdict, with a date for the hearing yet to be set. Strengthening security In response to the incident, ACSA has implemented additional security measures in collaboration with the Border Management Agency, State Security Agency, SAPS, SAPS Crime Intelligence, National Key Point authorities and EMPD. These measures include increased surveillance in critical zones, the establishment of joint oversight forums, and ongoing training to prevent similar incidents.
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Airports Company of South Africa's leadership shake-up follows significant security breach fine
The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has remained mum over reports that it has been fined R1.5 million by the SA Civil Aviation Authority for security-related breaches. Image: File Image While the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has remained mum over the alleged R1.5 million fine imposed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the authority has confirmed having recently imposed an undisclosed fine against Acsa for alleged security-related breaches. The fine comes as Acsa confirmed that it has placed its group executive for enterprise security and compliance, Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros, on precautionary suspension as investigations commence into troubling allegations of operational irregularities. On Saturday, in a statement, Acsa revealed that Petros has been replaced by Mary Ann Joubert, who has been appointed to act in the post. "Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has placed the Group Executive: Enterprise Security and Compliance (GE: ESC), Lt General, Mzwandile Petros, on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of an independent investigation into allegations of operational irregularities. The decision to place the GE: ESC on precautionary suspension is a crucial measure to protect the integrity of the investigative process and any current and subsequent processes," Acsa said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The airports company said Petros' suspension will not hamper its day-to-day operations, with Acsa emphasising that the suspension is precautionary and does not imply guilt, but allows for a fair and unbiased investigation. Reacting to the fine, SACCA spokesperson, Sisa Majola, stated that the aviation authority had acted in the best interest, security, and safety of the public and passengers when it imposed this penalty against Acsa. "Consistent with the SACAA mandate of regulating aviation safety and security, the Regulator confirms that enforcement action, including a fine, was meted out against Acsa on security-related matters. The regulations allow operators to make representations, which, upon submission, are evaluated. The enforcement processes allow operators to appeal against an enforcement decision; hence, the matter is still in progress as guided by the regulatory processes," Majola said. While Acsa assured the public that airport operations, including security and compliance, remain uninterrupted, some affected parties have disagreed, saying this is not the case following recent reports of delays and long lines in some of the affected airports. According to a source, the alleged R1.5 million fine forced Acsa to beg Fidelity Security to assist in covering the King Shaka International Airport, even though the company's contract had lapsed on June 30, 2025, following Acsa's decision to insource its security screening personnel across its nine airports in the country. "Ironically, Acsa had retrenched many of its security screening personnel in 2021, citing cost-cutting measures, with many experienced aviation safety officers taking voluntary severance packages. Fast Forward 2025, the same Acsa management has terminated contract security agreements in favour of insourcing personnel. Even after they were warned on the ballooning cost effect of such a move," the source said. Attempts to get a comment from Acsa were unsuccessful at the time of going to print, following numerous requests for comment last week.
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- The Citizen
Former Ladysmith students among victims of fatal Greytown plane crash
The deceased in the plane crash on Sunday evening (June 8) have all officially been identified. They are 22-year-old Lwazi Msane-Mchunu, a qualified and licensed pilot; 23-year-old student pilot Nqobile Biyela; and medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi, a close friend of Lwazi. Both Lwazi and Siphesihle matriculated at Harvest High School in Ladysmith. The SAPS Accident & Incident Investigations Division will investigate both crashes and collect evidence. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website 30 days from the date of the accident. On Sunday, the Piper Cherokee plane is alleged to have run out of fuel before crashing into a forest near Greytown. The plane – which was part of a training flight from Virginia Airfield in Durban, involving three aircraft – went missing after aborting an attempted landing to refuel at Ladysmith Airfield in KZN. Also READ: Search for missing plane It is believed that the plane turned back to attempt a landing in Greytown. All contact with the aircraft was lost shortly afterwards, with the crash site only being found on Monday (June 9). A second plane, which also failed to land in Ladysmith, crash-landed in a sugarcane field near Greytown. Fortunately, no one was injured in this crash. The third plane, which was the lead aircraft, successfully landed in Ladysmith, refuelled and continued on to Pretoria. Please follow us on our YouTube channel and do not be shy; please subscribe and comment as well. Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- General
- TimesLIVE
Family raised alarm on light aircraft crash which claimed three students
A light aircraft crash claimed the lives of three students after it departed Virginia Airport in Durban on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft was last tracked flying over Ladysmith before losing contact, which prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation. KwaZulu-Natal transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) notified authorities that the student-piloted aircraft had gone missing shortly after 3pm. The aircraft was en route to Johannesburg and scheduled to refuel in Greytown after a change in flight plan from the original stop in Mnambithi. KwaZulu-Natal traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli said the alarm was first raised early on Monday morning by the family of student pilot Nqobile Biyela. 'The student pilot's mom, who was in Johannesburg, and another relative in Empangeni, contacted us at about 7am to report the aircraft missing. The student's aunt clarified that the mother would follow up as they were urgently seeking help to locate the [aircraft].' According to Duma, his department, in collaboration with the ARCC, mobilised to assist in the search, taking into account severe weather conditions as forecast by the SA Weather Service. The department also worked closely with the head of department Siboniso Mbhele, co-ordinating efforts with local transport forums in Umgungundlovu and Uthukela districts and activated community leaders to assist. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered on Monday morning in the Midlands, confirming the deaths of the three occupants — student pilots Biyela, 23, and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, 23, and medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi, 20. Duma expressed his condolences, adding the crash happened in Youth Month. 'Our hearts go out to the families and friends of these promising young individuals. This is a tragic moment for all of us.' According to Msweli, the aircraft was one of a group of three flying from Durban to Johannesburg. 'Three aircraft left Durban for Johannesburg. The plan was to refuel in Mnambithi, but it was changed to Greytown.' The first aircraft encountered difficulty during its approach and crash-landed in a nearby field near Greytown Airport. 'That plane wasn't able to land properly and crashed in bushy terrain,' said Msweli. 'The two pilots on board were not injured.' The second aircraft landed safely, refuelled and continued its journey. The third plane, flown by Biyela, never made it to its destination. 'It crashed into a field filled with gumtrees. There were three people on board,' said Msweli. Duma said the crash is being investigated by SAPS and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and a report is expected from the SACAA accident and incident investigation division within 30 days. 'The report will serve as a source of comfort for the families. We are aware that postmortem examinations will be essential in identifying the causes, injuries and survival factors of this crash.' Eagle Air, the aviation school at which the students were training, said the loss was a blow for the aviation industry. 'As a close-knit aviation family, we feel this loss profoundly. This is a painful moment for all of us — one that hits close to home. We are heartbroken by this devastating loss and extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed.' In honour of the victims Eagle Air announced the temporary suspension of its flight operations. 'We will close our flight school for the coming week to provide space for mourning and reflection. This time will be dedicated to supporting the families, our staff, our students and the broader community who are grieving.'
