Operations back to normal after flight delays due to refuelling issues at OR Tambo airport

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that fuel the system is now fully operational following refuelling problems at OR Tambo International which caused flight delays on Monday.

"Operations are currently back to normal. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you are still experiencing delays, please reach out directly to your airline for further assistance," said ACSA in a statement.

In an interview with eNCA, ACSA regional general manager, Jabulani Khambule, explained that the delays were caused by a breakdown at the fuel farm.

"The breakdown was due to a valve that brings fuel into the apron for fueling aircrafts...What happens is that when the shaft broke down, the valve couldn't open.

"Just for the record, this was not about not having enough fuel, it was just a mechanical breakdown which we eventually managed to sort out at the end. We are now back online and operating. We are just dealing with a backlog that has been caused by the delays," he said.

The latest developments come just days after South African Airways announced that the pilots' strike, called last week, had been suspended.

"This resolution follows successful negotiations between SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA). Management has offered an additional 1% salary increase, resulting in a total salary increase of 9.47% for SAA pilots," SAA said in a statement.

"As part of the agreement that broke the deadlock in wage negotiations, engagements on a continuous enterprise improvement program will continue over the next eight weeks. We are committed to implementing work-life concessions that should enhance the productivity of our world-acclaimed pilots," added SAA interim chief executive officer, Professor John Lamola.

SAA added that its flight reschedule will resume with more than 100 pilots returning to duty. 

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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