The South African Civil Aviation Authority says the country’s aviation sector is well-equipped to manage adverse and rapidly changing weather conditions affecting parts of South Africa.
Severe weather continues to disrupt the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, with strong winds and heavy rainfall reported in several regions.
SACAA chief executive Poppy Khoza said the aviation system is built to operate safely even under complex and challenging weather conditions.
She explained that while adverse weather can disrupt operations, strict safety protocols ensure that decisions are made collaboratively between pilots and air traffic authorities.
“When weather conditions are severe enough that an aircraft cannot safely take off, the pilot is able to make that decision, supported by air navigation service providers. The system has multiple checks and balances to ensure safe operations,” Khoza said.
Khoza was speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 National Aviation Conference in Kempton Park.
Meanwhile, industry leaders have raised concerns over the long-term sustainability of the aviation sector amid rising jet fuel prices and global supply risks.
Stakeholders say the cost of Jet A1 fuel has more than doubled, driven by geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as disruptions linked to instability around the Strait of Hormuz.
Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, Aaron Munetsi, said securing consistent aviation fuel supply remains a major challenge for the industry.
He warned that fuel security is now a critical concern requiring coordinated regional planning to ensure stability across Southern Africa’s aviation network.
Similarly, George Mothema said the current fuel and geopolitical pressures could slow the sector’s recovery, noting that airlines are still recovering from capacity losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that rising fuel costs, now the single largest operating expense for airlines, are placing additional strain on the industry.
Chief Executive Officer of Airports Company South Africa, Mpumi Mpofu, has called for the development of a coordinated aviation and aerospace master plan to improve long-term planning, investment coordination and policy alignment across the sector.
Despite these challenges, authorities note that South Africa currently ranks seventh globally in aviation safety standards, reflecting continued progress in regulatory oversight and operational safety within the industry.