“This means that the airline may, with immediate effect, resume operating their fleet of 26 aircraft,” the SACAA said in a statement.

The lifting of the suspension came a day after SA Express’s AOC privileges were temporarily withdrawn by the SACAA after recent inspections and audits revealed deficiencies relating to the operator’s safety monitoring systems.

“Following several and intensive engagements between the airline and the regulator, SA Express provided the SACAA with a revised corrective action plan, which upon perusal and consideration was found to address the major concerns that were raised by the regulator,” the SACAA said.

“While the suspension has been lifted, the SACAA will still continue to monitor and oversee the full implementation of SA Express’s corrective action plan. The SACAA will also intensify its oversight of the airline’s entire operation.”

Oversight inspections and audits by regulators were done on a sample basis, and as such, operators needed to make sure that they had adequate safety management systems in place that could enhance and promote safety levels.

“The SACAA wishes to reiterate that aviation safety and security is critical, and operators need to always ensure that their operations are safe and secure. Commercial gains should never supersede the safety of the crew, passengers, and the general public,” it said.

The SACAA, in line with its mandate, would continue to effectively regulate and oversee civil aviation activities in the country. South Africans could be assured that the country’s aviation safety and security standards met, and in some instances, exceeded the minimum global requirements, and thus compared favourably in terms of alignment with the best international standards and practices.

“It is important to note that suspensions and withdrawals of license holders’ privileges are never an instant action or any form of reprisal by the regulator. Such a decision is usually preceded by comprehensive engagements and attempts by the regulator to highlight deficiencies and help license holders to comply with the prescribed standards and applicable regulations.

“Suspensions are therefore precautionary measures aimed at avoiding catastrophic incidences. Moreover, aviation and the airline industry specifically is a 24-hours operation, and therefore there is never such a thing as an appropriate time to suspend operations,” the SACAA said.