Johannesburg, South Africa:
In a significant development for South Africa’s aviation industry, the Department of Transport has released the Draft Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy for public comment. This new policy, aimed at guiding the future development and regulation of the country’s civil aviation sector, is now open for review and input from stakeholders and the public. With the closing date for submissions set at 22 June 2025, there is a critical opportunity for citizens, industry players, and aviation experts alike to shape the policy that will define South Africa’s aviation landscape for years to come.
But what does this policy entail, why is it important, and what are the key concerns and opportunities within the draft? As a skilled industry analyst and expert in civil aviation, I’ll break down the policy’s core elements, its implications for the aviation industry, and where it may fall short or succeed.
What is the Draft Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy About?
The draft policy seeks to modernize and streamline South Africa’s aviation framework, ensuring that the sector continues to contribute to economic growth, job creation, and regional integration. It focuses on several key pillars, including:
- Safety and Security – The policy emphasizes adherence to international safety standards, with a focus on improving surveillance systems and regulatory oversight. Notably the policy envisages the establishment of an independent accident investigation authority.
- Infrastructure Development – Modernizing airport infrastructure, developing regional airports, and expanding air traffic management systems to enhance capacity are central to the policy’s vision.
- Economic Growth and Connectivity – The policy aims to improve both domestic and international air connectivity, facilitating greater trade, tourism, and investment opportunities for South Africa.
- Environmental Sustainability – Given global concerns around carbon emissions, the policy includes provisions for reducing the aviation sector’s environmental footprint, with strategies for adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and implementing greener operational practices.
- Regional Cooperation – The policy advocates for increased collaboration between South Africa and other African nations to streamline air traffic management and improve regional connectivity. Further, to leverage South Africa’s leadership in the industry by deploying South African personnel to multilateral institutions to benefit the country through capacity development and build the capacity of these institutions.
Why Does This Matter for South Africa’s Civil Aviation Industry?
South Africa’s civil aviation industry is a crucial part of the country’s economy. The policy’s goal of expanding infrastructure and improving connectivity will directly affect tourism, trade, and business opportunities. By streamlining regulatory processes and introducing modern technology for air traffic management, the policy can enhance operational efficiency across South Africa’s airports.
Moreover, the policy’s focus on safety and security is particularly important, as it ensures that South Africa remains compliant with international standards and continues to position itself as a reliable partner for global airlines. The emphasis on environmental sustainability also aligns with international calls for greener aviation practices, positioning South Africa as a responsible player on the global stage.
Crucially, the policy decries the current non-alignment with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) within the training regime for air traffic controllers, cockpit personnel and cabin crew. It notes, correctly, that since this leaves the South African Qualifications Authority unable to evaluate these industry qualifications, this reality is career limiting for most personnel in the sector.
Key Concerns with the Current Draft
While the policy is a step in the right direction, there are several areas where stakeholders have raised concerns:
- Lack of Specificity on Implementation – One of the main criticisms is the lack of detailed action plans for some of the more ambitious goals, particularly regarding environmental sustainability. While the draft mentions green practices and SAF, there is insufficient guidance on how these measures will be funded or rolled out in the near future.
- Financial and Resource Constraints – Several stakeholders, particularly smaller operators and regional airports, have voiced concerns about the financial feasibility of the proposed infrastructure projects. The policy, while visionary, does not clearly outline how such projects will be funded, and there are fears that smaller players may be left behind. Indeed if one draws from the experiences shared at the 2024 Aviation Indaba, it is clear that rural aerodromes are currently neglected, and nothing in the current policy hints at this situation improving.
- Regional Integration Challenges – The push for regional cooperation, while commendable, may encounter significant challenges given the varying levels of aviation development across the continent. As things stand now, South Africa is a leader in the industry whilst a number of African countries have not yet levelled up to the standard South Africa has set over the years. Thus harmonizing air traffic management, safety standards, and regulatory frameworks across such a diverse region may be more difficult than anticipated.
Strengths of the Policy
On the positive side, the draft policy offers several strengths that could bolster South Africa’s aviation industry:
- Forward-thinking Focus on Technology – The policy’s emphasis on technological innovation in air traffic management and airport infrastructure is highly commendable. Investing in modern technology can improve efficiency, safety, and capacity, making South Africa’s aviation sector more competitive.
- Environmental Responsibility – The policy’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and integrating greener operational practices is a step forward for both the aviation industry and the environment. Given global pressures for sustainability, this positions South Africa as a leader in the continent’s green aviation efforts.
- Economic Growth Potential – By aiming to improve air connectivity both regionally and internationally, the policy has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities in tourism, trade, and investment, making South Africa a key hub for African and international travellers.
Conclusion: A Call for Public Input
As the deadline for public submissions looms, it is essential for all stakeholders – ranging from industry professionals to concerned citizens – to provide their feedback on this critical document. Submissions can be sent to the Director-General of the Department of Transport, Ms. Johannah Sekele, either by post to Private Bag X193, Pretoria, 0001, or via email at SekeleJ@dot.gov.za and TholoT@dot.gov.za.
Download the policy here: Draft Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy
As the skies above South Africa continue to open up, the Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy provides the framework for a dynamic, safe, and sustainable aviation environment—one that will play an essential role in the nation’s broader socio-economic development. This policy is an opportunity to reshape the future of South Africa’s aviation sector. By participating in the public consultation process, you can help ensure that the final policy is not only visionary but also practical, sustainable, and inclusive.
Prof Angelo Dube is a Professor of International Law, Director of the School of Law at UNISA, and Chief Executive Officer at Flying Jurist, and founder of the Aviation Indaba. He writes here in his personal capacity.
