SA Civil Aviation Authority
Private Bag X73
Halfway House
1685
Tel: (011) 545 1000
Fax: (011) 545 1201
Website: www.caa.co.za

MEDIA STATEMENT

13 DECEMBER 2018

SA Civil Aviation Authority Suspends CemAir Air Operator Certificates
[Johannesburg]. Cemair (Pty) Ltd can no longer operate as an airline or air operator or fly any
of its twenty-one (21) aircraft.
This follows a decision by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to suspend two
(2) of CemAir’s Air Operator Certificates (AOCs).
The affected AOCs relate to the operator’s permits issued under Part 121 and Part 135 of the
Civil Aviation Regulations.
The suspension became effective at around 15:30, when the airline was notified of the
SACAA’s decision.
In addition, the SACAA’s audit team has also recommended to the Director of Civil Aviation to
revoke CemAir’s AOCs.
The SACAA’s decision follows a thorough review of CemAir’s Corrective Action Plan (CAP),
which sought to address the initial findings unveiled during the annual renewal audit, conducted
this week. The CAP or proposed remedial actions by CemAir were found to be unsatisfactory
and did not adequately address the findings that were initially raised.
In addition records in the SACAA’s possession demonstrated that CemAir has been operating
some aircraft outside of permissible loading (weight and balance) limits; meaning the weights
of passengers and baggage declared by the flight crew were not the same with those recorded
by the service provider contracted by CemAir.
The SACAA also noted with concern that despite being issued with a Prohibition Order, CemAir
knowingly continued to fly their aircraft in contravention of the applicable regulatory prescripts.
This constitutes a material contravention that threatens aviation safety, and shows a total
disregard for the role and responsibilities of the regulator. This conduct is absolutely
unacceptable and intolerable!

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 In effect, and worryingly so, the Corrective Action Plan and subsequent action by the operator
indicate that there has been material departure and a dereliction of duty on the part of the
accountable manager, which clearly violates regulatory provisions.
These myriad of identified non-compliances bring to the fore the fact that the actions and
conduct of this operator pose serious and immediate threat to safety. As such, if the SACAA
does not take immediate action to stop the misconduct, it would inadvertently abandon its role
as mandated by the Department of Transport on behalf the people of South Africa and the
global aviation community.
-ENDSAbout the SACAA:
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is a Schedule 3A public entity reporting to the Department of Transport established in
terms of the Civil Aviation Authority Act, 2009 (Act No 13 of 2009) (the Act). In terms of mandate, the SACAA is tasked with promoting and
maintaining a safe, secure and sustainable civil aviation environment, by regulating and overseeing the functioning and development of
the industry in an efficient, cost-effective, and customer-friendly manner according to international standards.
For more information contact:
Email: media@caa.co.za
Website: www.caa.co.za

Kabelo Ledwaba
Mobile Number: 083 451 2616
Email: ledwabak@caa.co.za

Pappie Maja
Mobile Number: 083 451 2627
Email: majap@caa.co.za

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