Technical Fault in Air Traffic System Causes Major Delays at Johannesburg Airport

Edited by: Safae Fathi

Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport experienced major disruptions on Friday following a technical failure in its air traffic control system. The malfunction, reported by the state-owned Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), impacted the flight plan management system, leading to delays in departures and affecting overall airport operations. The issue arose during a peak travel period, putting pressure on coordination efforts among aviation personnel and airlines.

ATNS confirmed it was working in coordination with all relevant partners to contain the disruption and minimise the inconvenience for travellers. While arrivals were not severely affected, several outbound flights faced delays, with some passengers reporting extended waiting times. No safety incidents were recorded, and contingency procedures were activated to maintain operational oversight across affected systems.

The company expressed hope that the situation would be resolved within hours, but did not specify the root cause of the system failure. O.R. Tambo is one of the busiest airports in Africa, serving as a critical hub for both domestic and international flights. Similar incidents in global aviation hubs have highlighted the vulnerability of air traffic infrastructure and the importance of rapid technical response protocols in minimising cascading delays.