Flights Resume at OR Tambo After Weather Disruptions as ATNS Clarifies Cause of Delays

Normal operations resumed at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on Monday following flight delays and diversions caused by severe weather on Sunday, the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has confirmed.

ATNS said air traffic services were operating as scheduled on Monday morning, after thunderstorms disrupted safe aircraft movements in Johannesburg’s airspace the previous day.

“ATNS confirms that air traffic operations at O.R. Tambo International Airport are normal this morning (Monday), with services continuing as planned. However, the nature of aviation is such that operations remain subject to constant monitoring and evaluation,” said ATNS Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Mphilo Dlamini.

Flight delays on Sunday were initially attributed to temporary human resource constraints at the air traffic control station, according to an earlier ATNS media statement. However, the organisation later clarified that flight diversions experienced on Sunday afternoon were due to adverse weather conditions, including severe thunderstorms, and not staffing shortages.

“ATNS clarifies that the flight diversions were not caused by human resource constraints, but by weather conditions that temporarily affected safe aircraft operations within O.R. Tambo International Airport airspace,” Dlamini said.

ATNS reiterated that aviation safety remains its highest priority and said it continues to work closely with airlines, airport authorities and other stakeholders to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management. Further updates will be communicated as required.

Following ATNS’s initial statement, several airlines informed passengers via social media that delays were linked to staffing constraints at ATNS.

FlySAA said it regretted delays affecting some flights and apologised to passengers for the inconvenience. FlySafair and Airlink also confirmed disruptions, with Airlink stating that a shortage of air traffic controllers resulted in restrictions on the number of aircraft permitted in Johannesburg’s airspace at a given time.

“This required the diversion of some flights to alternate airports, including Gaborone and Durban, leaving aircraft and crews out of position,” Airlink said, adding that the disruptions had a ripple effect across its network.

Passengers reported delays of two hours or more, with several expressing frustration over poor communication.

One passenger said they waited more than two hours on board the aircraft before departure. “While I understand that the storm caused the last delay, everything was already late before boarding,” the passenger said, adding that passengers were not adequately informed beforehand.

Another passenger said their luggage was missing after hours of delays, while others criticised airlines for only announcing delays once passengers were already queued for boarding.

A parent travelling with children described the situation as chaotic, citing long queues caused by the distribution of meal vouchers. “It was rushed and stressful, but we do appreciate arriving safely,” the passenger said.

Another traveller said their elderly parents, aged 83, experienced a delay of more than two-and-a-half hours. “They could have been advised to check in later to avoid waiting for hours with no updates,” the passenger said.

DAILY NEWS