CAA grounds SA Express

The airline has had its Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approvals suspended as well as its Certificates of Airworthiness (CoA) on nine of its 21 planes due to safety fears. 

The decision to ground the cash-strapped airline follows a recent audit by the CAA.

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"This effectively means that as of today, SA Express can no longer continue to operate as an airline. In order to be able to operate, SA Express will have to reapply and be issued with relevant approvals, such an air operating certificate, and an approval for the aircraft maintenance organisation, and certificates of airworthiness for the grounded aircraft," says CAA spokesperson, Phindiwe Gwebu.

Gwebu says some serious safety concerns were found during the audit and the continued operation of the airline would have put the lives of crew and passengers at risk.

"The airline could not ensure that operational requirements, and most importantly, safety obligations are met at all times. Therefore, the grounding of SA Express operations was inevitable, because in simpler terms, the safety management system of the airline was found to be deficient.” 

Gwebu says the length of the suspension will depend on how quickly the airline is able to comply with safety regulations.

"For them to gain those approvals they will have to demonstrate that they meet all the requirements.”