Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, the country’s main airport, experienced a significant disruption on Friday due to an air traffic control system failure.
The state-owned Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) reported that the failure affected the flight plan management system, leading to expected delays in departures.
ATNS is actively working with stakeholders to manage the situation, minimize the impact on passengers, and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
According to a spokesperson, the issue is hoped to be resolved within hours.
The incident highlights the critical role air traffic control plays in maintaining the smooth operation of air travel, similar to past incidents like the UK’s NATS system failure in August 2023, which impacted over 700,000 passengers.
