Are SA airlines at risk of losing access to US and EU airspace?

Loading player...
GUEST – Guy Leitch - Aviation Analyst



SOURCE: [BusinessDay News]



SA runs the risk of being denied access to US and EU airspace should it continue contravening laws that govern the investigation of civil aviation accidents.



Such a move would devastate tourism between SA and its key trading partners.

The risk, identified by the department of transport in its draft civil aviation policy, means EU and US airlines could also be barred from entering SA’s airspace, forming a double-edged sword pointed at Africa’s largest economy, which identifies tourism as a key economic growth lever.



This risk, which the department of transport will table before the cabinet, exists because SA has not established an independent body to investigate aviation accidents and incidents as required by annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, which demands accident investigations be conducted independently and impartially.



That task is carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is insufficiently independent of the government, according to the Chicago Convention.
28 May 2025 2PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Africa’s Trade Links Strengthen; Future Geopolitical Risks Loom

Data from Standard Bank signalled significant growth in intra-African trade in the past year, showing positive moment towards the continent achieving a successful AfCFTA. However, that picture could be complicated by recent tensions in the Middle East. For more on this let’s listen in to, Philip Myburgh, Head: Trade for…
25 Mar 4PM 12 min

Ekasinomics: The business of luxury craftmanship

Lunga Ntuli, founder of LN Watches joins us on today’s feature of Ekasimoics to discuss his journey in building a proudly African luxury watch brand. His journey captures the realities local entrepreneurs face: navigating limited resources, building a market from scratch, and turning culture into commercial value.
25 Mar 4PM 16 min

Inside Your Business: Managing Middle East Risk

On today’s Inside Your Business feature with SACCI CEO Alan Mukoki — we unpack how small and medium‑sized business owners should manage and navigate the risks South Africa faces from the Middle East tensions.
25 Mar 4PM 16 min

South Africa’s central bank expected to hold interest rates

Tomorrow the South African Reserve Bank delivers its interest rate decision in what may be one of the most complicated policy weeks in recent memory. For his expectations of what may unfold, we speak to Albert Botha, Head of Fixed Income at Ashburton Investments
25 Mar 4PM 13 min

Remgro reports strong interim earnings

Despite a complex market environment, Remgro posted resilient interim results, lifting headline earnings nearly 40%. We’re joined by the CIO, Carel Vosloo, to discuss how Remgro is navigating global uncertainty while sharpening its investment portfolio.
25 Mar 4PM 12 min