South Africa and global insurance, financial institutions, banking and general law know–how
This blog is co-authored by Aneesa Laher, a candidate attorney.
The conflict in the Middle East has caused multiple disruptions across the shipping and aviation sectors. A disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, triggered a roughly 70% spike in Jet A1 prices at South African coastal airports within…
This blog is co-authored by Aneesa Laher, candidate attorney.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has proposed inserting the definition of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) under Part 71 (Remote Pilot Certificate) of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011. The amendment would recognise aircraft capable of vertical ascent, hover, and vertical descent using aerodynamic, propulsive, or thrust-vectoring…
This blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, a candidate attorney.
The proposed amendments to South Africa’s Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and Technical Standards (CATS) are open for public comment until 2 February 2026. They modernise terminology and meteorology, streamline maintenance and safety management, refine aviation security, and clarify medical and public‑health protocols.
Airworthiness and maintenance…
This blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, candidate attorney.
The Department of Transport and the Director of the Civil Aviation Authority have published draft and proposed amendments to the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and the South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA‑CATS), with comments invited by 30 November 2025. The proposals refine requirements for aircraft…
This blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, candidate attorney.
The Department of Transport’s Draft Airfreight Strategy, 2025 puts drones at the centre of a more efficient, and inclusive logistics system and signals concrete regulatory reforms that will reshape how unmanned aircrafts operate. The draft strategy maps the next phase of South Africa’s drone law evolution…
This blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, candidate attorney.
Several aviation industry bodies (Industry Bodies) sought to halt the implementation of current South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards 2 of 2025 (SA‑CATS 2/2025) and to reinstate the 12‑year calendar engine overhaul recommendation per Aeronautical Information Circular 18.19 (AIC 18.19). In October 2025 the court declined…
The blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, a candidate attorney.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has enforced a regulatory change affecting the general aviation sector: the strict application of a 12-year engine overhaul requirement for certain aircraft engines, including those manufactured by Textron Lycoming, Teledyne Continental, Pratt & Whitney and Rotax. The requirement…
This blog is co-authored by Eric Geldenhuys, a candidate attorney.
In March 2025, the Minister of Transport amended the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) in terms of section 155 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2009. The thirty first amendment to the Civil Aviation Regulations (Amended CARs) was gazetted on 28 March 2025. Part 139 of the…
This blog is co-authored by Jos Fogle, candidate attorney.
In February 2025 the High Court provided authority for the point that maintaining interim relief pending the final determination of a matter can be crucial to preventing harm to the public interest and ensuring the proper administration of justice.
In November 2024, the Johannesburg High Court…
This blog was co-authored by Pierre Naudé.
On 18 October 2024 the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) announced that the limit of liability of airlines, as stipulated in the Montreal Convention, will increase by 17.9%. This increase is effective from 28 December 2024.
The Montreal Convention provides for a five-year review of the limitation, which…
