Pretoria - In view of the security requirements for tomorrow’s Inauguration of President-elect Jacob Zuma, and the role of the South African Air Force during the event, Government has called on the aviation community to observe certain flight restrictions.
The restrictions are as follows:
- Temporary Restricted Military Air Space 1: one nautical mile around the Union Buildings from ground to 7 500 feet, from 6am until 6pm on 24 May 2014;
- Temporary Military Restricted Air Space 2: 25 nautical miles around the Union Buildings from ground to Flight Level 460, excluding the CTR (Control Zone) of Oliver Tambo and Lanseria from 9am until 6pm on 24 May 2014.
Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Presidential Inauguration, Collins Chabane, said on Friday that all the times indicated above were local South African times and Government would appreciate the cooperation of the aviation community, as the restrictions were necessary and expected to be in place for a limited period only.
“There will be close coordination between Air Traffic Navigation Services and the South African Air Force to ensure compliance as well as to minimise the impact on civil aviation activities,” he said.
However, during the times indicated, all air fields in the restricted air space in the above areas will be closed and no flights will be allowed to fly into or take off from these fields.
The South African Police Service will assist with this aspect at the various air fields.
“These are purely precautionary measures to allow efficient management of any air space risks that may arise during a high-visibility event, and is aligned with international best practice,” Minister Chabane said.
The minister outlined that this had been done to varying degrees at many past events such as the FIFA World Cup, which the country hosted in 2010, the State Funeral of former President Nelson Mandela and various summits and international forums. – SAnews.gov.za
