ACSA plans to implement 10 Instrument Landing System (ILS) projects across six airports over the next five years as part of a wider investment in navigational infrastructure.
They include:
- OR Tambo International Airport: Two ILS replacements are scheduled between September 2026 and November 2028, with one already completed.
- King Shaka International Airport: Three projects are planned, including an airfield ILS replacement running from July 2024 to September 2028, as well as ILS system container projects with start dates yet to be confirmed and timelines extending into 2031.
- Cape Town International Airport: One ILS refurbishment scheduled for completion in September 2026.
- George Airport: One ILS replacement is scheduled for completion in November 2027.
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport: One ILS upgrade on Runway 26, scheduled for completion in September 2026.
- East London Airport: Two projects, with timelines extending to March 2029. A start date has not been set on the Runway 11 ILS replacement
During its 2026/27 First Quarter performance presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Transport, ACSA said more than R900 million would be invested in navigational aids over the next five years. Of this, around R240 million would go towards ILS systems, with R120 million for automated weather observing systems and R604 million for ground lighting.
In response to questions from the committee about projects at Durban and East London listed with dates still to be confirmed, ACSA said these depended on third parties and its supply chain processes.
ATNS updates
ATNS also provided an update on the maintenance of flight procedures. It said it was dealing with 102 procedures due to expire this year, with the majority already addressed. It is also addressing three procedures due to expire in 2027.
A further 109 procedures are expected to expire between 2028 and 2030, with ATNS saying these will be addressed during 2027.
ATNS has faced ongoing challenges in maintaining and renewing instrument flight procedures, with numerous procedures suspended over the past two years. However, ATNS committed to restoring all major airport flight procedures by mid-2026.
