Polokwane airport cancels six flights due to technical issues

The Polokwane International Airport in Limpopo has announced the cancellation of six flights due to technical issues with the air navigation system.

The airport’s CEO, Mokgadi Matli says the problems stem from a recent software update by Air Traffic Control and Management Solution.

The software challenge has directly impacted the airport’s ability to provide clear landing visuals in cloudy weather conditions.

Matli says the suspension of flights has had a significant impact on both the airport’s business operations and passenger travel plans.

“Effective from the 1st of April, the procedures are suspended again. What that means is that on cloudy days, in bad weather and in the evenings, we are not able to land the aircraft the way we are used to and it means some of the flights will be canceled or delayed. Since the 1st of April, we have had challenges due to weather. So, we have missed about six flights since then,” says Matli.

Travelers have expressed frustration over the delay and cancellation of flights.

One of the affected passengers, Masale Selamatsela says the cancellation has affected his business.

“It is impacting negatively on me in terms of the business that I run because you will find that I have business with other people that might have flown from overseas and it becomes difficult, because these people respect the time. And if you are not there on time they simply leave. That is why I am saying it is negatively impacting on me and sometimes I spent money and that money is not budgeted for,” says Selamatsela.

Six flights grounded due to technical glitch in Polokwane