South Africas aviation accident body is to become fully independent from the countrys aviation regulator, following long-standing concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Last year, the Department of Transport DoT flagged that the relationship between the Accident and Incident Investigation Division AIID and the South African Civil Aviation Authority SACAA could potentially create conflicts of interest, impacting its reporting.
While some publications claimed that the AIIDs lack of independence could result in a ban on South African carriers operating internationally, experts told Travel News that this was unlikely, as the investigation units independence remains a standard rather than a law.
