South Africa’s aviation sector is on edge as a critical ruling regarding foreign ownership of airlines is expected soon. The Domestic and International Air Services Licensing Councils, which are responsible for making these crucial decisions, have been facing challenges due to delayed payments and unclear administrative oversight by the Department of Transport (DoT) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
Sources within the councils revealed that sporadic payments have only just begun to reach them after months of delays, disrupting their work on key issues such as the foreign ownership limits in South African airlines.
The challenges within the councils come as they face uncertainty over job advertisements and remuneration changes that have yet to be published. Adding to the complications, foreign operator permit applications will now be processed exclusively online, a transition that law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr warns could lead to delays.
Nomveliso Ntanjana, chairperson of the International Air Services Licensing Council, has refrained from commenting on the situation, stating that councils are not permitted to comment without instruction from the DoT or SACAA. The aviation industry is hopeful that a clear ruling will soon be made, providing much-needed clarity and ensuring a stable regulatory framework for the future of foreign airline ownership in South Africa.
