/ 3 December 2007

Suspension of Nationwide airlines upheld

Acting commissioner of civil aviation Gawie Bestbier has upheld the suspension of Nationwide airlines by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). ''He reviewed both parties' statements and made an independent decision earlier today [Monday],'' CAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said. She said Bestbier gave Nationwide guidelines on how to meet the CAA's requirements.

Acting commissioner of civil aviation Gawie Bestbier has upheld the suspension of Nationwide airlines by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

”He reviewed both parties’ statements and made an independent decision earlier today [Monday],” CAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said.

She said Bestbier gave Nationwide guidelines on how to meet the CAA’s requirements.

”The airline will now have to tell the CAA how it will resolve the findings of the commissioner.”

Gwebu said Nationwide was expected to consult with the CAA on the matter.

”The CAA view this as an urgent matter, we will give it our undivided attention. We are willing to help them comply with CAA regulations,” she said.

Nationwide spokesperson Charmaine Thome said the airline was engaged in talks with the CAA after the commissioner’s decision.

”We hope that by the end of the week the airline will take to the skies again,” said Thome.

Nationwide was grounded on Friday after the CAA suspended its approval of the airline’s aircraft maintenance organisation.

It also suspended the airworthiness certificates of Nationwide’s fleet of 16 aircraft. — Sapa