Airline set to sue airport
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Town (where else?)
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airline set to sue airport
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.
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.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: In the Spiral
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"A 29-seater jet flies three times daily from Johannesburg International to Polokwane International, carrying mainly business travellers and government officials."
Since when is the J-41 a jet ??????????
If FAPB had an ILS maybe the big boys could use it as an alternate in stead of FADN??? closer....
Since when is the J-41 a jet ??????????
If FAPB had an ILS maybe the big boys could use it as an alternate in stead of FADN??? closer....
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about paying Sipo to check that the facility is operational before they take off. and then call someone on any stolen cellphone..................
"Yous Pays your Moneys, Yous takes your Chances"
"Yous Pays your Moneys, Yous takes your Chances"
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SA
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The problem should be rectified ASAP before someone gets killled.It was faulty equipment that caused the untimely death of Hansie Cronje and the crew at George some years back. Apart from some of the equipment being switched off when they arrived over GGV, the accident could have been prevented months before it happened had the guys paid attention to the ****ty equipment.
Come on people, fix the equipment or take it off line and close the airport to IFR traffic before someone gets hurt or killed. Its a shame that this is happening.
