Are SA airlines at risk of losing access to US and EU airspace?

Loading player...
GUEST – Guy Leitch - Aviation Analyst



SOURCE: [BusinessDay News]



SA runs the risk of being denied access to US and EU airspace should it continue contravening laws that govern the investigation of civil aviation accidents.



Such a move would devastate tourism between SA and its key trading partners.

The risk, identified by the department of transport in its draft civil aviation policy, means EU and US airlines could also be barred from entering SA’s airspace, forming a double-edged sword pointed at Africa’s largest economy, which identifies tourism as a key economic growth lever.



This risk, which the department of transport will table before the cabinet, exists because SA has not established an independent body to investigate aviation accidents and incidents as required by annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, which demands accident investigations be conducted independently and impartially.



That task is carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is insufficiently independent of the government, according to the Chicago Convention.
28 May 2025 2PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Getting your credit life in check and make 2026 the year of smarter credit choices.

GUEST – Jaco van Jaarsveldt, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Experian South Africa’s credit landscape just offered a rare glimmer of hope: a 14% year-on-year improvement in default rates according to Experian’s latest Consumer Default Index (CDI). However, this seemingly positive statistic is a deceptive illusion, stemming more from…
13 Jan 3PM 16 min

ALLAN GRAY: Investing for your child’s education.

GUEST – Shaheed Mohamed, Head of Group Savings and Investments at Allan Gray January marks the start of the school year in South Africa, and for many parents, the rising cost of education is top of mind. Education is one of the most significant financial commitments parents will make, yet…
13 Jan 3PM 15 min

Discovery Health to cover costs of claims overpayments.

GUEST - Dr Ron Whelan, CEO of Discovery Health Discovery Health has moved to reassure members after identifying a claims system error that led to the overpayment of certain Above Threshold Benefit (ATB) claims during 2025. In a decisive move, the administrator has confirmed it will absorb the full cost…
13 Jan 3PM 11 min