News24:
Airline set to sue airport
09/03/2005
Johannesburg - SA Airlink airways is threatening to claim losses of R77 000 a flight from the Limpopo province government because faulty navigation equipment at Polokwane Airport results in flights not being able to land.
A 29-seater jet flies three times daily from Johannesburg International to Polokwane International, carrying mainly business travellers and government officials.
But, they have to abort landings in bad weather.
According to SA Airlink marketing manager Karin Murray, the navigation equipment at Polokwane is continuously out of order and pilots are expected to land without navigation assistance, even in thick fog.
"Rather than take this chance, the flights return to base."
According to Murray, all flights were cancelled on February 21 and SA Airlink passengers had to be taken to Polokwane by bus.
Other firms lose out, too
"The airport announced the problem had been solved, but on February 24, the equipment was again out of order.
"We suffer a total loss of R77 000 a flight."
Car-hire firms at Polokwane told Beeld on Tuesday they were also losing a lot of money as up to 15 passengers on a morning flight cancelled their reservations when the flight returned to Johannesburg without landing.
Patricia Tharage, chief marketing manager of Polokwane International, said technicians would have solved the problem by Tuesday night.
"New advanced navigation equipment will be ordered within a week," she said.
According to her, a contract for routine maintenance was entered into last year when the airport became conscious of the problem.
"The equipment that helps aircraft when making a landing breaks down from time to time, but it has been repaired and calibrated.
"However, aircraft can land safely in good weather even when the equipment is not functioning.
"We always warn pilots and leave the decision to them whether they will attempt to land or not.?
Tharage knew of "only one day" two weeks ago when aircraft had to turn back.