SA Express flight takes three days to arrive at Mthatha Airport

An SA Express flight from Johannesburg to Mthatha took three days to arrive in the Eastern Cape as it was forced to return to OR Tambo International Airport on two consecutive days.

The two emergency diversions, which caused huge delays, were caused by “unfavourable” weather conditions, according to SA Express spokesperson Mpho Majatladi.

But one of the passengers disputed this on Twitter, saying other airlines’ planes landed in Mthatha in the same conditions.

Passengers who were meant to board the return flight from Mthatha to Johannesburg were also affected.

The flight was scheduled to arrive on Sunday but eventually landed at Mthatha Airport on Tuesday.

It is usually a 75-minute hop from OR Tambo to Mthatha, but “adverse weather” resulted in low visibility on Sunday and Monday, forcing the flight to divert to Johannesburg, said Majatladi.

On December 20, an SA Express flight was turned away by the Mthatha airport for being 10 minutes late.

Airline bosses have been called to a crisis meeting by the department of transport to explain why they are unable to stick to the scheduled landing times at the government-run airport.

A passenger on the latest flight, who only identifies herself on Twitter as “Miss Pampi”, said the flight was late and the weather had nothing to do with it.

In a series of tweets she says: “The SA Express flight didn’t land in Mthatha this morning, the pilot said he can’t see (low visibility). But other aircraft landed this morning. People are stuck in Mthatha.”

In an earlier tweet, she said: “Another SA Express flight turned away back to OR Tambo an hour ago. It was already two hours late. Mthatha airport ayiyingeni (does not get involved) after 6pm and are very clear on this.”

In response, Majatladi said: “It was initially delayed because the airline had anticipated that the weather forecast would improve. However on final approach at the airport it was discovered that the conditions were unfavourable for safe landing and the crew opted to return to OR Tambo.”

In a statement to the Dispatch on Tuesday, Majatladi said: “Flights SA 1447 on 5 January 2020 and SA 1445 on 6 January 2020 returned to base due to adverse weather resulting in low visibility. While the airline regrets the inconvenience caused, SA Express states that the safety of our customers is of utmost importance and will not be compromised. All SA Express customers affected were accommodated on later flights.”

SA Weather Service Port Elizabeth office climatologist Lulama Nhlapho said there were thunderstorms over Mthatha on Sunday.

“However, viewing the radar and satellite images, the thunderstorms were only severe north of Mthatha in the Mhlontlo local municipality. More thunderstorms were experienced near Mthatha on January 6 but severe thunderstorms were experienced over the Alfred Nzo local municipality from late afternoon ending in the late evening. From my knowledge, landing when there are thunderstorms is not safe.”

Regarding the flight being turned away from Mthatha Airport last month, Majatladi said the plane experienced a technical delay and by the time the technical team ensured that the aircraft was serviceable and ready for takeoff, Mthatha Airport was closing.

Eastern Cape transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose earlier slammed SA Express, saying the carrier continued to “ignore operating procedures” like landing and taking off on time, as well as reporting technical problems.

About the planned meeting with SA Express, Binqose said on Tuesday: “We are in talks with the airline to find a suitable date for both parties. The meeting is needed more now than ever before, as SA Express is providing a much-needed and valuable service to the eastern side of the Eastern Cape. But the service being provided is certainly not what our people expect from us.”