SACAA clears SA Express for take-off again

However, according to the regulator it is limited to the two aircraft for which certificates of airworthiness have been secured.
The Johannesburg-based airline was suspended on may 24 when its operating licences and the certificates of airworthiness for nine of its 21 aircraft were revoked by the SACAA after an audit of the airline and its maintenance organisation uncovered "severe cases of non-compliance that posed serious safety risks". It has been grounded two years earlier over deficiencies in its safety monitoring system. And just before the recent suspension there had been warnings in the government that SAX may need recapitalisation after "extended mismanagement of the airline".
SA Express had to undertake recertification processes for both the AOC and AMO approvals. As well as ensuring that all aircraft earmarked for operations have a certificate of airworthiness.
"A key message to all operators and aviation personnel is that financial sustainability must always be carefully balanced with the need to uphold, at all times, acceptable levels of aviation safety and security," said Poppy Khoza, the SACAA's director of civil aviation.

SACAA chief Poppy Khanza warns that financial sustainablilty must be balanced with need for safe operations.