Tag: AviationIndustry
What the Middle East crisis is teaching us about managed travel
On Saturday, 28 February, war in the Middle East grounded three of South Africa’s key long-haul carriers: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar. As a result, the Middle East crisis disrupted major aviation routes. With airspace closed, thousands of travellers were stranded. They were either in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, or at their destinations with return flights in question.
Aviation’s essential services designation under review
The Essential Services Committee (ESC) has published a notice in terms of section 71, read with section 70(B)(1)(d) of the Labour Relations Act No 66 of 1995 (LRA). The notice announces an investigation into whether certain aviation services should be designated as essential services. The ESC published the notice on 23 January 2026. It arrives at a volatile moment for South Africa's aviation industry.
