OR Tambo International Airport JNB experienced widespread flight delays and diversions on the afternoon and evening of January 4, with airlines working to recover schedules yesterday January 5. This was due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, suspended instrument flight procedures and inclement weather conditions.
ATNS notified airlines yesterday morning that it was experiencing staff shortages and would implement gaps between departures. Additionally, it planned a formal traffic restriction starting at 15h00 due to expected thunderstorms.
An Airlink spokesperson said the airline implemented aircraft start-up delays in the morning and increased departure times between aircraft to three minutes and later to five minutes due to staff shortages, all prior to the storm.
