Cape Town International airport was reopened to incoming flights on Sunday evening after the repair of a damaged runway.
The runway was closed shortly before noon for emergency repairs, following the discovery of a ”pavement surface defect”.
Airports Company South Africa spokesperson Deidre Hendricks said the runway was opened at 5pm.
”We regret the inconvenience caused, but we were not prepared to take any safety risks,” she said.
Asked to define the runway defect, Hendricks said she thought it involved a ”lifting of asphalt and some crumbling”. She did not know the extent of the problem.
Asked to comment on unconfirmed reports that the defect was discovered during the landing of an international flight, she said: ”I cannot confirm that. It is speculation at this point in time.”
Flights managed to leave the airport from another runway. — Sapa