The aviation industry has always had to deal with the unexpected. A change in the weather, a delayed shipment or an aircraft requiring unscheduled maintenance can quickly affect everything that follows. Keeping flights on schedule isn’t just about what happens in the air – it’s about how well the entire operation responds when things don’t go according to plan.

That ability to adapt has become increasingly important in South Africa. As passenger travel grows, air cargo becomes more important to trade and technology continues to reshape the industry, resilience is no longer something that’s only tested during major disruptions. It’s built into the way airports, airlines and logistics providers operate every day.

Building Stronger Airports Starts Behind the Scenes

Most passengers judge an airport by how quickly they check in or collect their luggage. Behind those experiences is a much larger operation that’s constantly working to keep aircraft, baggage and freight moving.

Cargo terminals, maintenance facilities, customs teams and ground handling crews all have a role to play. When these parts of the airport work well together, flights run more smoothly, freight moves more efficiently and delays become easier to manage. That’s why investment isn’t only about expanding airports – it’s also about improving how the entire operation works.

People Keep the Industry Moving

Every flight depends on hundreds of decisions being made before an aircraft even leaves the ground. Pilots, engineers, technicians, air traffic controllers and ground crews each bring skills that technology simply can’t replace.

Digital systems have made many tasks faster and more accurate, but aviation will always rely on experienced people who know how to respond when something changes. Continuing to develop those skills will be just as important as investing in new aircraft or airport infrastructure.

Air Cargo is More Than Freight

When people think about aviation, passenger travel usually comes to mind first. Yet every day, aircraft also carry products that businesses and communities rely on, from medical supplies and fresh produce to high-value manufacturing components.

Getting those goods to their destination takes careful coordination. Airports, warehouses, road transport and customs operations all need to work together to keep shipments moving. The better those connections become, the easier it is for businesses to respond to changing demand and keep their supply chains running.

Better Decisions Begin with Better Information

Anyone working in aviation knows that small delays rarely stay small for long. A late arrival, poor weather or a hold-up in cargo handling can affect aircraft, crews and connecting shipments throughout the day.

Having the right information at the right time makes those situations much easier to manage. Real-time tracking, predictive maintenance and operational data give airlines and airports a clearer picture of what’s happening, allowing them to respond before minor disruptions become much bigger problems.

An Industry That Works Best Together

No airline, airport or logistics provider operates on its own. Every successful journey depends on organisations sharing information, coordinating their operations and working towards the same outcome.

Those partnerships have become one of the industry’s greatest strengths. When communication is strong and planning is aligned, it’s far easier to keep passengers moving, cargo flowing and operations running, even when unexpected challenges arise.

No two days in aviation are ever the same, and that’s unlikely to change. New technology, shifting demand and changing trade patterns will continue to reshape the industry, but one thing remains constant: the ability to adapt. The organisations that keep investing in people, infrastructure and stronger partnerships will be the ones that help South Africa’s aviation industry continue moving forward.

Aviation keeps far more than passengers moving. Every day, aircraft transport fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, engineering components and other high-value cargo that businesses depend on. For industries where time matters, air freight often keeps supply chains running when other modes of transport aren’t an option.

Like much of South Africa’s transport sector, aviation is operating in a demanding environment. Rising costs, ageing infrastructure and changing regulations continue to test airlines, airports and cargo operators, while growing demand places even greater pressure on the industry to operate efficiently.

Rising Operating Costs

Every flight comes with a long list of costs before an aircraft even leaves the ground. Fuel, maintenance, airport charges, insurance and aircraft leasing all add to the cost of keeping airlines in the air, while exchange rate fluctuations can make operating expenses even more unpredictable.

Those costs don’t stop with passenger airlines. Air cargo operators face many of the same pressures, influencing freight rates and the cost of moving high-value, time-sensitive goods across South Africa and beyond.

Infrastructure and Airport Operations

An airport is a carefully coordinated operation where aircraft, cargo, baggage, customs and ground crews all work to tight schedules. When one part of that system is delayed, the effects can quickly spread to the rest of the operation.

For businesses relying on air freight, even small disruptions can delay deliveries and interrupt supply chains. Maintaining reliable airport infrastructure and efficient ground operations remains essential for keeping goods and people moving.

Safety and Security

Keeping people and cargo safe is one of aviation’s biggest responsibilities. Airports, airlines and cargo operators invest heavily in security, training and technology to reduce risk while keeping aircraft and freight moving on schedule.

For air cargo, security doesn’t end once a shipment leaves the airport. Careful handling, real-time tracking and close coordination between logistics partners all help ensure valuable goods reach their destination safely.

Skills and Workforce Development

The aviation industry depends on people with specialist skills. Pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, technicians and ground handling teams all work together to keep flights operating safely and on time.

Technology is changing the way the industry works, creating demand for new digital skills alongside traditional aviation expertise. Attracting and training the next generation of aviation professionals will be just as important as investing in aircraft and airport infrastructure.

Sustainability and the Future of Aviation

Sustainability is becoming part of everyday operations across the aviation industry. Airlines are improving fuel efficiency and renewing their fleets, while airports are investing in renewable energy and more efficient facilities.

Many of these changes also help reduce operating costs, showing that environmental responsibility and commercial performance often go hand in hand.

Aviation has always adapted to changing conditions, and today’s challenges are no different. As the industry evolves, the focus remains on finding practical ways to improve efficiency, strengthen operations and keep people and goods moving.

The Road Freight Association (RFA) has commented on the structure and nature of AARTO (the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) since the first iteration of the Act in 1998. The intentions are noble – but the scope is too vast and the structure and processes far too intricate. From the beginning the Association has said – make it simpler (like everywhere else in the world), make it focussed (like everywhere else in the world) and make it accessible (ditto).

Obviously, the RFA – which is serious about improved road safety conditions, better efficient logistics and a reduction in the huge financial strain on the medical infrastructure of the country – supports any and all attempts to improve the state of safety on our roads by reducing the risks and aberrant behaviour that currently exist.

The RFA reiterates that the major contributors to incidents on the roads must be identified and clearly prioritised – so that the causes for these incidents (crashes) that result in injuries and death can be addressed through a concerted effort to change behaviour.

Behaviour that results in these factors playing the contributing role that they do.

The RFA highlights that, through-out the world – successfully targeted actions focussing on demotivational programmes to modify aberrant behaviour are the norm, and have been successful.

However, there are some serious flaws in AARTO – which will negatively affect the efficacy of the intended system as well as create huge operational challenges regarding vehicles – which will result in negative effects to the financial and operational sustainability of road freight businesses in South Africa.

Appeals Tribunal – administrative burden

The AARTO Act refers to the appointment of a Tribunal – one Tribunal – not one per Province, licensing authority or Metropolitan area.

According to reports, there were 1 823 040 infringements issued during the 2024 calendar year (in Tshwane & Johannesburg alone). If 10% of these infringements are to be appealed, it will amount to roughly 180 000 appeal cases being heard by the appeal Tribunal consisting of 09 people hearing each appeal.

A simple calculation suggests that they will have to hear approximately 850 appeals per day. This will create a bottleneck in the system.

What about ALL the infringements issued across the whole country (when in operation)? How will the Tribunal cope?

The appeals process will require documents to be handed in, stamped, signed and a copy be handed back to the infringer, all by the local licensing department / issuing authority which are already overloaded with their current workload in terms of licensing and testing of vehicles and drivers.

These additional AARTO responsibilities will create longer queues and more pressure at these centres.

The question to be asked is whether these centres will be able to cope with this additional burden and whether all the local authorities and municipalities are aware of the additional duties that AARTO will require and whether they have budgeted sufficiently for these services.

Furthermore:  Tribunal members are appointed on a part-time basis. How will they deal with the possible workload, given the example of possible volumes of work heading the way of the Tribunal?.

Finally: legislation requires the Tribunal to be appointed when the legislation is enacted. Where is the Tribunal?

Demerit points for vehicles

The RFA has always opposed the issuing of demerit points to vehicles.

Nowhere else in the world do vehicles get demerit points to “change behaviour” – a vehicle is either roadworthy and fit to be used on a public road, or not. The objective is to reduce risk and ensure that vehicles being operated on the road are roadworthy – if not then remove from the road, repair, inspect and reissue roadworthy.

Currently a vehicle is suspended from operation on a public road – and once repaired and having “passed” a roadworthy test, is again able to operate (and generate income).

Thus the current legislation. when properly and consistently applied by road traffic authorities. will achieve the desired aim far better than vehicles earning points and being barred from being returned to use when repaired.

Furthermore, as regards the resale / trade / cycling of vehicles: the effect of points allocated to vehicles will result in stalling / refusal of sales (or vastly reduced valuation of vehicles / delay in fleet replacement / ability to trade vehicles). This will impact both private vehicle transactions (from luggage trailers and caravans / private vehicles to fleet / commercial vehicles).

Vehicle cycle and demand operations of businesses (whether rental / fleet leasing or operational) is huge and cannot be taken lightly. It is important to highlight that in the case of representations, the process to follow is convoluted in being time consuming, hugely administrative and reliant on authorities providing information / confirmation and feedback within the prescribed time frames.

The cost element for any company is that if the representation is rejected (on whatever basis) no discount will apply and the full penalty and applicable fees will be payable. Penalty levies are a revenue generation process – nothing more, nothing less.

Exceeding the total number of demerit points for a particular vehicle results in the suspension / cancellation of the operator card for that vehicle. Further to this – Section 46(1) of the NRTA (the National Road Traffic Act  93 of 1996) notes that a new operator card cannot be issued to an operator where any vehicle operator card has been suspended (for the period of that suspension).

The Association cannot say it loudly enough, or repeat it enough times – Scrap points on vehicles!

Rehabilitation Programme

Habitual offenders are eligible for a rehabilitation programme (after the second suspension as per definition of a “Habitual Offender”).

Whilst the RFA supports all initiatives to improve road safety and the general behaviour of all road users, it is not convinced that AARTO will change the current behaviour of road users.

Finally, the impact a demerit point system will have on drivers in a country where there is no alternative public transport network to speak of, is concerning. In all other countries across the globe where a demerit point system is in place – and is successful in having a positive impact on driver behaviour – a reliable, efficient and developed public transport service is in place.

Having thousands of infringements / offences that are to be policed and administratively dealt with is too far a stretch.

Most other countries have between 15 and 30 BEHAVIOURAL causes that are focussed on. Results there speak for themselves. They are far simpler systems, with manageable processes and measurable results. More importantly – with positive change in the identified areas.

It’s time to radically rethink the way in which AARTO needs to be focussed and applied.

By Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association