Polokwane International Airport in Limpopo has cancelled six flights since the beginning of April due to technical issues affecting its air navigation system.
The airport’s CEO, Mokgadi Matli, confirmed that the disruption stems from a recent software update rolled out by the Air Traffic Control and Management Solution provider. The malfunction has compromised the airport's ability to safely facilitate landings in poor weather conditions, particularly during cloudy days and nighttime operations.
“Effective from the 1st of April, the procedures are suspended again. This means that in bad weather or evening hours, we are unable to land aircraft as per standard protocol, resulting in delays and cancellations,” said Matli. “Since the start of the month, we’ve already missed six flights due to these challenges.”
The ongoing issue has caused widespread frustration among travellers, with many reporting disruptions to their schedules and financial setbacks.
Masale Selamatsela, one of the affected passengers, voiced his concerns: “It’s negatively impacting my business. I often have appointments with international clients who value punctuality. If I miss a meeting due to flight delays, the opportunity is gone—and sometimes I’ve already spent money I hadn’t budgeted for.”
Airport authorities say they are working closely with technical teams to resolve the software issues and restore full functionality to the navigation system. However, no definitive timeline has been given for when normal flight operations will resume.