Department of Transport

ANNUAL REPORT 1997 - 1998

Chief Directorate Civil Aviation Authority

More than 150 000 aircraft cross South African skies each year.

Contents

• Directorate Aviation Safety
• Direcorate Aviation Networks
• Directorate Air Transport Regulation
• report of the International Air Services Council
• report of the International Air Service Licensing Council
• Division Bilaterals

Mission

To maintain a competitive civil aviation environment which ensures safety in accordance with international standards and enables the provision of services in a reliable and efficient manner at improving levels of service and cost while contributing to the social and economic development of South Africa and the region.

Overview Of Functions

Aviation Safety

This Directorate is responsible for ensuring safety within the Civil Aviation environment as a whole. It does this by establishing and maintaining standards for airworthiness, flight operations, personnel and airport licencing and by overseeing general safety administration. It is also working to develop an over-arching Civil Aviation Safety System which will, at reasonable cost, fully satisfy the State's minimum obligations under ICAO in terms of service efficiency and reliability.

Aviation Networks (Airport and Airspace Infrastructure)

This Directorate is responsible for the setting and monitoring of Air Traffic Control service standards as well as navigation- and approach-aid equipment standards in terms of the guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. It plays a co-ordinating and planning role in relation to airport infrastructure development and contributes to the maintenance of a safe and orderly aviation environment by collecting, verifying and disseminating aeronautical information. Its brief extends to all civilian-used aerodromes and all civilian-used airspace throughout South Africa.

Air Transport Regulation

This Directorate is responsible for the negotiation and maintenance of bilateral air transport and bilateral search-and-rescue agreements. Air transport agreements are vital instruments in ensuring proper regulation of scheduled airlines operating between the RSA and other states, while search-and-rescue agreements facilitate rescue operations through regional co-operation and co-ordination of facilities.

It also controls South Africa's relations with multilateral organisations and manages its obligations under various ratified aviation conventions, thus ensuring that South Africa maintains international aviation standards. South Africa's relations with African regional organisations and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) must be managed optimally to ensure that South Africa gains the maximum benefits from these organisations.

Air Transport Regulation provides secretariat services to the Air Services Licensing Council and the International Air Services Council, the Search-and-Rescue Executive Committee, the Regulating Committee and the Regulations Committee. It also provides general and specialised administrative services to the Chief Directorate. In addition, it co-ordinates the activities of various organisations and assets which provide South Africa with a national and international search-and-rescue capability.

Aviation Safety has identified the following key objectives:

• continued compliance with current aviation safety policies within the framework of ICAO;
• implementation of the recommendations of the Safety Oversight Report;
• establishment of an independent Civil Aviation Safety Agency;
• implementation of the new regulations;
• continued provision of an effective and efficient service to the industry;
• 100% fulfilment of crewing for all Departmental aircraft flights;
• inspection of every civilian aerodrome at least once per annum;
• inspection of every Air Service Operator at least once per annum;
• ensuring that the full human resource complement is available
• establishing a National Civil Aviation Security programme;
• ensuring compliance with regulations pertaining to dangerous goods management.

Performance

The Aviation Inspectorate - staffed by 14 Inspectors - is responsible for setting and maintaining flight standards and regulating and controlling operational matters. Its annual inspection responsibilities cover 450 Air Service Operators. ( Despite the shortage of human resources the inspectors conduct approximately 200 spot inspections per year).

In addition, the Aviation Inspectorate supplies crew for more than 220 Calibration flights and approximately 40 Communication and Training flights per annum. Communication flights are performed on request and include the transport of Ministers and other senior officials when required.

The new Aviation Regulations were partially implemented in January 1998. The remaining parts will be implemented during the rest of the 1998/99 financial year.

The level of operator safety oversight was increased, yielding good results. This action will be increased in the 98/99 financial year.

The new Civil Aviation Safety Agency is on track to be established by 1 October 1998. A new CEO-Designate has been appointed and is already engaged in developing and planning the establishment of the Agency. This will result in increased productivity, economy of effort and better allocation of human resources so as to improve the standard of safety and oversight in regulatory inspections while enhancing customer care and service delivery.

Sub-directorate Airworthiness

This forms part of the team required to ensure safety within the civil aviation environment as a whole. It oversees general airworthiness standards, personnel and aircraft maintenance, organisation licensing and the administration of safety regulations.

The Sub-directorate performs the following specific activities:

• setting airworthiness standards and ensuring that they are maintained;
• licensing of aircraft maintenance engineers, aircraft maintenance organisations and manufacturing, processing and testing organisations;
• approving repairs and modifications;
• registering aircraft and keeping the civil aircraft register up to date;
• inspecting aircraft;
• keeping aviation publications up to date (Section Technical Information);
• implementing the Convention on the International Recognition of Rights in Aircraft Act, 1993.

Sub-directorate Aviation Personnel Licensing

This section experienced considerable growth in its activities and, despite staff shortages, was able to meet the increased need for service. A total of 38 405 transactions involving the issuing, renewal and amendment of approximately 11 000 pilot's licences were processed during the year. 8 800 pilot examinations were written on the online system and at the outstations, and 115 076 postal documents were dealt with.

The implementation of the new computer system for licensing is well on the way. It will be fully in line with the new Regulations which come into operation on 1 January 1999 and is expected to deliver a major enhancement to the total quality of the service rendered. The existing examination system has been improved and is now Year 2000 compliant. Scheduling of the on-line examinations has also been further streamlined to eliminate even more of the paperwork.

An action plan has been produced to implement the recommendations made in the ICAO Report on the safety oversight work carried out in 1997. In anticipation of its incorporation into the Civil Aviation Safety Agency the Sub-directorate is in the process of changing its culture to one which focuses fully on customer needs.

Aviation Security South Africa Its objectives are to set and maintain effective minimum security standards which comply fully with internationally accepted policies and practices in all aspects of Civil Aviation, and to develop and implement efficient measures for monitoring compliance with security standards.

1997/98 proved to be a very challenging year for Aviation Security South Africa. Some of the major issues addressed were:

• An environmental scan of all legislation, regulations, directives and procedures dealing with airport security. The Department of Transport undertook to commence with a position paper in this regard for further consideration and expansion where applicable by other role players.
• The Explosives Amendment Act no. 83 of 1997 was approved by the President on 10 December 1997 and now only awaits Presidential proclamation in the Government Gazette.
• 100% Hold baggage screening in South Africa has been recommended by the Civil Aviation Authority to ICAO and other Authorities, and research into its implementation is progressing steadily with the involvement of the Minister of Transport, the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) and other role players in the aviation industry.
• As the threat of possible acts of terrorism against civil aviation remains an ever-present possibility, Aviation Security South Africa has taken a lead in re-visiting the Known Shipper Concept with a view to redefining the legal and operational responsibilities with which cargo agents must demonstrate compliance in order to ensure the integrity and security of cargo tendered to airlines for carriage. It is co-ordinating this endeavour with the Airfreight Forwarders' Association, the Airline Cargo Operators' Committee and other key role players in the industry.
• South Africa has assigned responsibility to Mr M Burns for all communications to and from ICAO on facilitation matters, and Aviation Security has requested assistance from this body in establishing an effective national air transport facilitation programme.
• 1 January 1998 saw the introduction of the new Regulations, SA-CATS-DG, incorporating the ICAO technical standards for the safe transportation of dangerous goods by air, Doc 9284-AN/905.
• A request is at present being processed for full participation membership status for South Africa in the Committee of Experts of ICAO on the transport of dangerous goods by air. The Dangerous Goods Programme Manager of ICAO, Ms Katherine Rooney, indicated at the Dangerous Goods Conference in Nairobi that South Africa's participation in the technical activities of ICAO meetings - initially in an observer capacity - would be welcomed.

Organisational and Staff Restructuring

To adequately address the responsibilities imposed on the Civil Aviation Authority by ICAO and to improve on current activity levels and performance targets will require an increase in staffing levels in Aviation Security, the Aviation Inspectorate and the Airworthiness Inspectorate.

Sub-Directorate Aviation Accident Investigation

(Period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997)

The objectives of the Sub-Directorate Aviation Accident Investigation are:

• The investigation of all aviation accidents, serious incidents and many of the minor incidents (some very minor incidents do not warrant investigation);
• Determination of the probable cause;
• Production of safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence;
• continuous assessment of search-and-rescue operations, emergency services and the survival aspects of major accidents.

Activities and Performance

During the period under review, there was a total of 156 accidents. 145 involved South African-registered conventional aircraft. Of these, 15 were fatal accidents in which 30 people lost their lives. Four foreign-registered aircraft were also involved in accidents in South Africa, but none of these involved fatalities. Micro-light aircraft accidents are on the increase and seven fatal accidents occurred, resulting in eight fatalities. This is, unfortunately, to be expected given the increasing number of these aircraft on the register.

There was a 20 per cent reduction in accidents as compared to the previous year and a 25 per cent drop in the number of fatal accidents, with 13 less fatalities. However, as there is no accurate information on the number of aircraft movements per annum, with only major aerodrome traffic being recorded, there is no reliable yardstick for comparison purposes. The figure of a 20 per cent reduction in the number of accidents is therefore misleading and the current accident rate in 1998 suggests that there is no real improvement in safety.

Investigation of all the accidents/incidents has been concluded, but 35 reports have yet to be completed. These include six accidents in foreign territories, for which reports are still awaited. On past performance we are not optimistic that we shall ever receive these reports and shall probably have to produce them ourselves. An exception is the one accident that occurred in Tanzania, as that country produces excellent reports. Several fatal accident reports have been completed but we are awaiting the post-mortem results before the findings can be presented to the Accident Review Committee.

The present position regarding reports is that 18.5% are still outstanding. This figure is below the original KPI figure of 25%. It should be noted that all but one of the reports which were still outstanding for 1996 have also been completed during the year under review. There are no outstanding incident reports.

Fatal Aircraft Accidents:

Aircraft Accidents:

Most incidents reported by ATNS are now being investigated and brief reports are recorded on a statistical data-base which we have obtained from the Italian Civil Aviation authorities.

With the advent of the Agency and the possible expansion of the Aviation Accident Division, it should be possible to broaden the scope of investigations and to make less use of postal and telephonic enquiries, which are most unsatisfactory. As a result more meaningful safety recommendations will be made.

While the target was to reduce the number of outstanding accident reports to less than 15% and the incident reports to less than 5% by the end of the current calender year, the extra activities occasioned by the implementation of the Agency may well preclude this.

Organisational and Staff Restructuring

The Sub-directorate still has one post that needs to be filled. While efforts have been made to implement Affirmative Action measures, it has so far proved very difficult to find suitable candidates owing to the specialised nature of the required expertise.

Objectives

• Set and monitor air traffic service standards in accordance with accepted national and international standards;
• set and monitor technical standards for communication, navigation and surveillance systems;
• set and monitor standards for fire-fighting and rescue services on civilian aerodromes;
• complete the investigation into the transition, for the SADC region, from land-based to satellite-based navigation systems in accordance with ICAO guidelines;
• inspect all navigation and approach aids to civil aviation at the recommended ICAO intervals and in accordance with its guidelines;
• inspect every civilian aerodrome at least once during the year for compliance with minimum requirements.

Activities and Performance

Sub-directorate Standards is responsible for the setting, monitoring and enforcement of technical standards for:

• ground based communication, navigation and approach aid equipment;
• electrical installations on civilian aerodromes; and
• firefighting and rescue services in civil aviation.

New legislation setting minimum standards for navigation aids and fire-fighting and rescue services was approved, but still awaits implementation.

Safety standards for navigation and approach aid equipment were assessed throughout the year and in most cases found to be satisfactory. In all cases where equipment was found to be operating in an unsatisfactory state measures were implemented to address the situation.

The downward trend in fire and rescue services standards within the Airports Company Ltd has been slowed - and, in one case, reversed. The situation remains under close scrutiny.

Sub-directorate Airport and Airspace Development

This section has met all targets for the financial year and was able to meet the target dates set for each activity.

A large portion of the Sub-directorate's work depends on the scope and pace of developments in the industry outside. Our task in this respect is to respond positively and supportively to new initiatives in aerodrome construction, advising developers or owners on the requirements to be met to enable the licensing of new installations or the approval of upgraded facilities. Licensed aerodromes currently numbering approximately 187 have generally been found to be kept well up to the prescribed standards and conditions, and are thus not individually inspected every year unless a complaint is received from the aviation industry.

The baseline plan for the coming year is to maintain the services delivered to the aviation industry at existing levels.

Flight Inspection inspects all navigation and approach aids for civil aviation at the recommended ICAO intervals and according to their guidelines.

Routine flight inspection of all radio navigational aids in the RSA was successfully performed during the 97/98 financial year. Over border countries such as Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Seychelles were also serviced during this period.

The following numbers of radio navigational aids were flight inspected within the RSA:

20 Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) - Quarterly
29 VHF Omni Range Systems (VOR) - Bi-annually
18 VHF Omni Range Systems (VOR) - Annually

The following numbers of radio navigational aids were flight inspected over border:

2 Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) - Quarterly
2 Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) - Bi-annually
5 VHF Omni Range Systems (VOR) - Bi-annually

Air Traffic Services

The Sub-directorate regulates and monitors air traffic and navigational services in order to ensure safe and orderly air traffic flow through adherence to minimum recommended standards and practices.

Several changes to controlled airspace, providing for increased levels of service, were approved by the National Airspace Committee of which the sub-directorate is a member. The increased application of shared airspace (between civilians and the military) was promoted.

A total of 1035 aviation incidents was reported during the year, a reduction of 362 over last year's figure. The majority of these were minor, while 24 were of a more serious nature. These were thoroughly investigated, with corrective measures being instituted to prevent recurrences.

Due to various constraints the number of Air Traffic Service Units inspected during the year was limited to four. One post became vacant during the year, making the sub-directorate's tasks harder to fulfil.

Progress towards implementation of the new satellite-based communication and surveillance systems continued with the start of communication trials between aircraft and Air Traffic Control centres, as well as the installation of a new centre-to-centre communication system for Air Traffic Controllers.

In line with the National Policy on Airports and Airspace Management the re-incorporation of provincial Air Traffic Services under a single service provider was begun.

Planning for the change to a Civil Aviation Safety Agency went forward at an ever increasing pace during the year. The target date for the new agency to commence operating is 1st October 1998. This represents a major change which will significantly improve the regulator's ability to ensure safety oversight of civil aviation in South Africa.

Aeronautical Information Services

The main function of this section is the collection, verification and distribution of aeronautical information for use in all types of aviation-related operations as specified in Annex 15 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Aeronautical information is made available to the aviation industry so as to ensure efficiency, regularity and flight safety.

The new, more user-friendly A5 format AIP is currently available and is still being received with great enthusiasm by the aviation community.

The monthly Notam summaries, AIC and AIP Supplements have for some time now been published in English only, thus realising substantial savings in printing costs.

The World Aeronautical Charts (WAC) with the aeronautical overlay in 1:500 000 and 1:1 000 000 are cross-checked on an ongoing basis in collaboration with the Chief Directorate Surveys and Mapping.

Objectives

• Improving South Africa's current regulatory framework of bilateral air services agreements to ensure sufficient capacity for the expected growth in tourism. This objective will be pursued in line with the policy requirements of encouraging competition, safeguarding national interests and stimulating South African participation in the market.
• Airline co-operation will be addressed with a view to formulating a policy which will promote competition and co-operation between airlines.
• Continued compliance with ICAO State Letters; meeting of deadlines set by ICAO.
• International co-operation will be actively pursued with special emphasis on the drafting of a treaty dealing with the creation of a regional air transport body responsible for the harmonisation of technical standards and the co-ordination of international air transport policies with third parties. This will involve the redrafting of the current SARATA Accord in order to comply with the Republic's strategic objectives.
• Enhanced secretarial support for the various councils and committees.
• Negotiation of bilateral search-and-rescue agreements with approximately 11 neighbouring states.
• Evaluation of policy on non-scheduled cargo air services, in consultation with stakeholders, to ensure compatibility with the broad policy framework.

Activities And Performance

Division Aviation Secretariat

The primary function of this division is the provision of an efficient aviation administration service to the Air Services Licensing Council, the International Air Services Council, the Civil Aviation Regulations Committee and the Regulating Committee.

Apart from the regular activity of this division, which is reported on below, a statistics section was established in order to set up an online database which would provide the Department and its clients with up-to-date statistical information on the airline industry.

Report of the Regulating Committee

The Regulating Committee was established in terms of the Airports Company Act (1993), as well as the Air Traffic and Navigational Services Act (1993 ) to regulate the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) and the Air Traffic and Navigational Services Company (ATNS).

The Committee comprised:

M Shahia, Chairperson
J Smit, Vice-chairperson
J Madungandaba, Member
M Lekota, Member

Apart from its regular meetings, the Regulating Committee:

• Issued the 1998/9-2002/3 Permissions;
• calculated and published the correction factors for 1998/99;
• interacted with the potential strategic equity partners for the Airports Company of South Africa during their due diligence visits;
• investigated and completed one complaint and undertook one investigation;
• published the Approach Document for the 1998/9-2002/3 Permissions; and
• completed a risk profile for ACSA;

New members have now been appointed by the Minister of Transport to serve for the period 1 April 1998-31 March 1999. These members are:

M Shahia, Chairperson of the Committee
J Madungandaba, Member
K Gordhan, Member
S Le Hane, Member
M Simelane, Member

The new members have already met as a Committee and are ready to tackle the challenges of the coming period.

Report of the Regulations Committee

The Commissioner for Civil Aviation established the Civil Aviation Regulations Committee in terms of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 1997. This Committee is an official forum for the civil aviation industry to play an active role in the regulation of the industry. Two meetings have been held to date. The membership of the Committee was confirmed and the process of reviewing and amending the Regulations is now underway.

This Council is responsible for the administration of the International Air Services Act, No. 60 of 1993. Its membership during the review period was as follows:

Mr J J (Japie) Smit, Commissioner for Civil Aviation, as Chairman
Dr D Mullins, Member
Mr S Danana, Member
Mr B Pillay and Mr G D van der Veer, Members (appointed to the Council in September 1997).

The following applications were presented to the Council:

1. New Applications

2. Application for Amendments

3. Temporary International Air Service Licences

During this period, as in the previous period, 31 applications for temporary licences were considered by the Council. Many of these applications arose due to restrictions on the use of large capacity (Category A1) aircraft by Class II (Charter) airlines to those States served by Class I (Scheduled) airlines.

However, by careful review of the current scheduled traffic volumes recorded to these States, especially those in Africa, Council is now permitting the charter airlines increased operations with Category A1 aircraft - albeit, in certain instances, to specific destinations other than those served by the scheduled air services.

4. Meetings of Council

The Council conducted 13 meetings during the year under review. Several of these extended over two days. Representations (objections) against many of the applications as usual required careful consideration by the Council. Several meetings were concerned with special hearings in terms of section 21(1)(a) of Act 60/93 and the aftermath of these hearings. All the meetings were well attended by Council Members.

5. Appeals to Supreme Court

Two licensees recently lodged appeals against decisions of the Council. One of these was withdrawn at an early stage of proceedings, whilst the other is awaiting hearing during May/June 1998.

Such referrals to the High Court are rare, especially considering the number and complexity of the applications and objections heard by Council.

6. Incidents

Untoward incidents again included the vexed problem of unauthorised use of foreign-registered aircraft and illegally conducted flights. However, the increased number of specialist officers employed by the Department's Inspectorates and the recent creation of a special Border Police Unit is doing much towards curtailing - and ultimately eliminating - such illegal flying operations.

7. Special Hearings

Two special hearings in terms of section 21(1)(a) of Act 60/93 were conducted. The suspension of its services by a scheduled airline was of particular concern to Council, and a subsequent change of its control required investigation by means of a special hearing. To date, the airline has re-established its financial viability, has met the requirements of the Council in this regard (including a consumer protection guarantee) and has resumed scheduled flights to its important destinations.

In the second instance, Council suspected that a Non-scheduled Licensee was illegally utilising foreign-registered freighter aircraft. Its licence was suspended for a two-month period prior to the licensee's eventual appearance before Council. The airline's explanation for these operations was accepted, but its Management was censured for improper negotiations with the foreign operators.

8. Inspection Function

A welcome innovation by the Directorate Aviation Safety sees inspections of licensees' facilities performed by multi-disciplinary inspection teams, in which officials of the Council's Secretariat are now included.

Introduction

The Air Services Licensing Act, 1990 (Act No. 115 of 1990), came into force on 1 July 1991 and gives effect to domestic air transport service policy. This policy provides for a free market-orientated system in which a larger degree of open competition is possible. Although operators enjoy a wider measure of freedom, aviation safety and reliability continue to be of the utmost importance.

Functions of the Air Service Licensing Council

A statutory body responsible for the administration of the Act, the Air Service Licensing Council was appointed by the Minister of Transport on 16 August 1991.

During the past year the Council consisted of the following members:

Mrs TM Masipa (Chairperson)
Mr T Kekana (Vice-Chairperson)
Mr D Caras (Member)
Mr J N J van Rensburg (Member)

Issuing and Amending Licences

During the period under review 13 Council meetings were convened compared with the 19 meetings convened during the previous period. On average the Council convened for 1 meeting per month.

The following applications were submitted to the Council:

(a) New applications

(b) Applications

(c) Applications to operate foreign-registered aircraft

The operation of foreign-registered aircraft once again received considerable attention during the period under review. These aircraft are now readily available and although there are decided financial and other advantages for domestic operators, it remains a controversial matter. For this reason the Council handled the applications with circumspection. Strict safety measures were set as conditions to the approval of 4 applications. The most important condition set was that no passengers may be transported.

The following applications were granted:

(d) Notices and special requests to the Council

In terms of the Act, the Council must be advised of any curtailment, abandonment or extension of air services, and of any changes in the particulars contained in the applications.

From time to time the Council also considers special requests of a problematic nature.

Monitoring Function

The Council's duties in terms of the Act comprise not only the licensing of air services, but also their monitoring to ensure the continuity of safety and reliability.

To perform this monitoring function effectively the Council relies upon the Department's co-operation. Representatives of the Department supply the Council with the following particulars each month:

Inspections of operator's facilities by the Department The number of inspections performed is reported to the Council with details of findings.

Accidents and incidents Accident and incident reports are presented to the Council for information, together with recommendations on any further action which may be indicated by the circumstances in each case, so that the Council is able to determine whether further follow-up action is required.

Infringement of the Act (Act no. 115 of 1990)

An integral part of the Council's monitoring function is to ensure that the domestic air transport industry functions within the framework of the Act and its Regulations.

However, until very recently enforcement proceedings could not be instituted effectively. The employment of more specialist personnel in the Department's Inspectorates will do much to remedy the situation.

Scheduled Air Services

This division is responsible for the negotiation and maintenance of bilateral air service agreements. These agreements are vital instruments in ensuring proper regulation of scheduled air services between the Republic and various other States. To date, close to 100 air service agreements have been negotiated with 59 foreign air carriers operating scheduled air services to the Republic.

The year under review witnessed the further normalisation of international aviation relationships between the Republic and the international community. A total of nine bilateral discussions on aviation matters was held during the period, of which three were new. Six sets of bilateral discussions were held to renegotiate technical aspects dealing with aircraft operations including flight frequencies, entry points, 5th freedom traffic rights, route schedules and code-sharing.

The Sub-directorate will continue to strive towards improving South Africa's current regulatory framework of bilateral air services agreements to ensure sufficient capacity for the expected continued growth in tourism and trade. This objective will be pursued in line with the policy requirements of encouraging competition, safeguarding national interests and stimulating South African participation in the international market.

Non-scheduled Air Services

The number of non-scheduled flights to the Republic increased from 123 to 224, thereby either complementing existing scheduled services or providing services where no scheduled services previously existed. Although the number of applications for non-scheduled services increased, there was also a tendency towards the operation of series of flights, which resulted in an increase off 644 flights to and from South Africa (from 450 to 1094 during the period under review).

Enforcement

The Division became actively involved in the activities of Operation Jacuzzi, which is driven by the SAPS Border Control, as well as the activities of NIDS - the National Interdepartmental Structure.

Operation Jacuzzi

The purpose of Jacuzzi is to monitor aircraft movements to ensure compliance with applicable legislation including the International Air Services Licencing Act. The Division co-operated through exchange of information with the SA Border Police, Air Force, ACSA and various Airport Managers.

NIDS

A major aim of government is to curtail illegal arms smuggling and illegal immigration into the country and to reduce the volume of illegal goods crossing our borders. To address these issues it was proposed to reduce the existing number of 36 aerodromes allowing crossing border flight to 10 international airports only: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Lanseria, Upington, Nelspruit, Pietersburg, Port Elizabeth and Mmabatho.

This proposal led to the establishment of the NIDS Committee comprising role players from SAPS-Border Police, SARS and Home Affairs to give urgent effect to the rationalisation of points of entry and cross-border traffic.

Policy on Airline Co-operation

The policy on airline co-operation is currently being finalised. A Discussion document entitled "Airline Co-operation: Proposals for a South African Policy Framework," was distributed with an invitation to stakeholders to comment on its content. The comments received were considered and where appropriate, incorporated into the Draft Green Paper.

The publication of the Draft Green Paper was followed by a second phase of consultations, where stakeholders had the opportunity to participate in a discussion forum. A Green Paper proper was then published and again submitted for stakeholder consideration. Since then further written comments have been received. The White Paper on airline co-operation is currently being prepared.

Policy to Liberlise Freight Services

Consultants have been identified to produce a research report, which will serve as the basis for a discussion paper which will be circulated to stakeholders. The research report is currently being prepared.

Division Multilateral Affairs

This Division oversees South Africa's adherence to the terms of ratified Conventions and Protocols and manages its obligations to international organisations. To comply fully with international aviation standards, the division ensures that all State Letters received from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) are attended to within the time frame set by ICAO. More than 150 State Letters were received during the period under review.

South Africa's active participation in the activities of the African regional organisations and ICAO is vital to ensure that the maximum benefits from these organisations are obtained. Active participation strengthens these organisations, while also helping to ensure a pattern of development in Africa that does not conflict with South African policy. The Department therefore actively promotes international and regional co-operation within the framework of its international aviation policy.

SADC

The Civil Aviation Sub-committee was established in July 1995 to co-ordinate South Africa's relationship with African regional organisations. It has now been expanded to focus on international issues such as SADC, AFCAC and ICAO. Members of this committee consist of various civil aviation stakeholders, including the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and SATOUR. The committee intends to develop more precise criteria for membership as other stakeholders such as the Airport Association have indicated a wish to become members.

South Africa's participation in the activities of SADC increased in 1997/98. A number of meetings were attended including:

• the task force which studied the viability of SADC's proposed Southern African Regional Air Transport Authority (SARATA) (chaired by South Africa)
• the 1st Aviation Safety Working Group and the 3rd Aviation Training Meeting, held in Johannesburg in September 1997 (chaired by South Africa)
• the first Civil Aviation Committee Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana.

South Africa was further involved in the activities of SADC by having Multilateral Affairs assist the Southern African Transport and Communication Commission of SADC with a project to restructure the Civil Aviation Sector. A SADC CNS/ATM meeting was held in March 1998 for Directors General and Permanent Secretaries of Transport to discuss the funding of the CNS/ATM Implementation Plan.

AFCAC

South Africa became a member of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in 1996. AFCAC is a specialised agency of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU).

The first meeting attended as a member of AFCAC was the Air Transport Committee Meeting in September 1996. The participation of our delegation was warmly welcomed. In October 1997 South Africa attended the AFCAC Air Transport Committee meeting and served as a member of the Task Force to revise the Yamoussoukro Declaration.

In March this year, South Africa attended the AFCAC CNS/ATM Workshop in Johannesburg to discuss general issues of co-operation and the economic/financial and technical aspects of CNS/ATM system implementation.

ICAO

South Africa's membership to ICAO was reinstated in 1995. South Africa's participation in the activities of ICAO is seen as vital to ensure that South Africa can influence the development of the organisation and comply with the Standards and Recommended Practices of ICAO.

South Africa attended the ICAO Familiarisation Course in June 1997 to gain an understanding and insight into the structure and functioning of ICAO; the ICAO Statistical Division Meeting in April 1998 to build capacity for the statistics function; and the ICAO Safety Oversight Conference, which determined how ICAO's Safety Oversight Programme would develop into the next millennium.

ICAO officials carried out a participation assessment mission in January 1998 to determine the possibility of SAA and ACSA's participation in the ICAO TrainAir Programme, which identifies organisations that will deliver standard training packages in accordance with ICAO guidelines.

Division Search and Rescue

This division is responsible for creating an enabling environment for the co-ordination and provision of a search-and-rescue function in the Republic of South Africa.

Co-ordination of SASAR Organisation

The Division is responsible for the overall co-ordination of the SASAR Organisation, which includes: rendering a specialised aviation and maritime secretariat service to the Search-and-Rescue Organisation; promoting public awareness of the Search-and-Rescue Organisation through the media; keeping a reliable and accessible information system for the SASAR Organisation; compiling and producing a regular search-and-rescue newsletter, maintaining the search-and-rescue infrastructure; and facilitating training courses for search-and-rescue service providers.

During the period the Division provided an efficient secretariat service to the Executive Committee; compiled and published two editions of the SASAR Newsletter; designed and awarded Certificates of Merit to people and organisations rendering exceptional service to SASAR; updated and revised the SASAR manual; facilitated two Co-ordinators' Training Courses, attended by 30 people from South Africa and neighbouring countries; and arranged a liaison visit to the Provincial Disaster Management Committee of the Eastern Cape.

Tremendous progress has been made with regard to the provision of a Local User Terminal (LUT) satellite tracking station, which will assist SASAR in locating vessels and aircraft in distress. In January 1998 the Minister of Transport gave his final approval for the amendment of the existing contract between the Department of Transport and Telkom to provide for the installation of the LUT. It is envisaged that the LUT system will be operational before the end of the year.

Three major aeronautical search and rescue incidents occurred during 1997 which resulted in a number of fatalities. Below is a synopsis of the search and rescue incidents that took place during the past six months.

Bilateral Negotiations

The need to negotiate bilateral search-and-rescue agreements with neighbouring countries cannot be over-emphasized. A draft search-and-rescue bilateral agreement has been drafted and sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Justice Department for comment. Their amendments have been received and the revised draft bilateral has been sent to a number of countries with which South Africa wishes to conclude bilateral search-and-rescue agreements. Dates for negotiations have been proposed; confirmation of dates and places is still being awaited.

Division: Specialised Administration

This division is responsible for the provision of an administrative service to the Chief Directorate Civil Aviation Authority.

Apart from the regular provisioning and budgeting services provided, the Division co-ordinated a vigorous training programme, after the Directorate Air Transport Regulation realised and acknowledged that there was an urgent need to develop new skills, abilities and attitudes to improve service provision.

Sessions were presented by members of the aviation industry including South African Airways, SA Express, Comair, The Airports Company, The Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and many other organisations. These sessions were supplemented with visits to the ATNS and Airports Company. Officials also attended lectures presented as part of the aviation course offered by RAU in co-operation with the Department of Transport.

Annual Report 97/98 - Main Contents    ||    Department of Transport Organogram

Other Directorates:

Management Services    ||    Shipping    ||    Land Transport

SDIs    ||    Road Transport & Traffic    ||    SA Roads Board