JOHANNESBURG – As reported in other media, Monday 15 Feb 2010, the South African Civil Aviation Authority has issued a formal notice (NOTAM) in terms of large aircraft (over 5,700kg in mass) operated by commercial airlines and their ability to land at George airport when the runway is ‘wet*’.
The effect of this notice is that when the runway is ‘wet*’ as a consequence of rain commercial airlines will not be allowed to land at George and the airport will be closed until the runway dries out. Consequently airlines en-route to George will have no other option but to divert to an alternate airport or return to their point of original departure.
Airlink would therefore like to advise all Travel Agents and passengers of this limitation, which could impact passenger itineraries. The SACAA have advised that this is a temporary restriction which will remain in effect until such time that, after further testing or remedial work, the airport is again declared safe for ‘wet’ operations.
Should passengers on Airlink flights to George experience diversion because of a wet runway, Airlink will provide assistance in re-accommodating the passenger on the next available flight. Airlink will not assume responsibility for land arrangements.
Whilst the Western Cape is currently experiencing its worst drought in 132 years and therefore the probability of rain and associated flight diversions remains low in the short term, the winter rains usually start from around early April. Therefore the program for testing is urgent, and any remediation required to the runway by ACSA and its contractors will need to be accomplished by the time the winter rains commence.
NOTE: ‘Wet’ is defined as “WHEN MORE THAN 25 PERCENT OF THE RUNWAY SURFACE APPEARS REFLECTIVE DUE TO WATER OR IS COVERED WITH WATER”
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