SAA stopped from fetching COVID-19 vaccines
South African Airways (SAA) was unable to fly to Brussels on Sunday to fetch the first batch of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The decision is reportedly due to the risk measures not being adequate enough or acceptable with global aviation standards. TUI charter flights flew the vaccine into the country late on Tuesday night.
The main concern that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) had, and which led to a series of discussions with SAA, was in relation to the recency of the national carrier’s flight deck crew.
SAA managed to get the selected flight crew to attend the mandatory recency training. SAA was granted exemption on Tuesday, according to SACAA. The Department of Public Enterprises said it will not comment on the matter, meanwhile, the SAA Business Rescue Practitioners say they are aware that the flight was stopped.
“Consistent with the provisions of [the] legislation, the Civil Aviation Regulations, any operator can apply for an exemption and/or alternate means of compliance,” said Director of Civil Aviation (CEO) at SACAA Poppy Khoza.
“South African Airways did contact the SACAA requesting for an exemption particularly relating to the aircrew. An exemption which, when we evaluated, there were some gaps and of course by its nature any exemption become a process between the regulator and the operator.
I must indicate that the exemption was subsequently granted after SAA had demonstrated compliance with legislation, we subsequently did approve that exemption on 16 February [Tuesday].
In other news – Boity Thulo waiting on her ancestors for a perfect husband
Boity Thulo is thankful for her ancestors for all that they have done and more. The rapper is enjoying the fruits of her hard labour and is rolling in cash however her ancestors still have one more role to fulfil and that is getting her a man.
She took to Twitter to gush about how powerful her ancestors are, “My Dlozis have given me a career that is beyond my wildest prayers. They have financially provided for me in the most satisfactory way,” said Boity. Learn more
Source: eNCA
