Speaking at the National Aviation Conference 2026 held on 7 May, Barbara Creecy delivered a keynote address highlighting South Africa’s achievements in aviation safety, the importance of stronger regulation, and the need to prepare the sector for future growth and technological advancement.
Addressing delegates from across the aviation industry, including representatives from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), regional aviation authorities, and industry leaders, Creecy praised the conference for creating a platform for meaningful engagement on both emerging and established issues affecting aviation.
The Minister commended South Africa’s recent performance during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission, where the country achieved a preliminary result of 95%. She described the outcome as a significant milestone that positions South Africa among the leading countries globally in aviation safety oversight.
Creecy said the achievement reflects the country’s professionalism, strong governance structures, and commitment to maintaining international aviation standards. However, she stressed that the responsibility now lies in sustaining and continuously improving these standards through responsive regulation and consistent enforcement.
The Minister also highlighted South Africa’s exceptional commercial aviation safety record, noting that the country has recorded zero fatal accidents in scheduled airline operations for more than four decades. She attributed this to disciplined operations, effective oversight, and a deeply rooted safety culture within the sector.
Despite these successes, Creecy raised concerns about safety challenges within general aviation. She noted that while accident statistics have improved in recent years, there is still a need to strengthen safety management systems, improve compliance, and reinforce operational discipline across the broader aviation industry.
She welcomed ongoing safety initiatives led by the SACAA, including plans to improve communication and consultation between the regulator and industry stakeholders through digital safety platforms and online engagement tools.
Looking ahead, Creecy said aviation across the African continent is expected to grow significantly over the next two decades. She explained that the Department of Transport and its entities are focused on modernising the sector through investment in infrastructure and technology to support the movement of passengers and cargo.
The Minister revealed that government aims to facilitate 13 million passenger journeys and move 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually through the aviation network in the coming years. These targets, she said, form part of a broader strategy to position transport as a key enabler of economic recovery and long-term growth.
Creecy pointed to improving operational performance within the aviation sector, particularly at major airports. She highlighted growth in air traffic movements at King Shaka International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport, alongside continued infrastructure investment by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
According to the Minister, ACSA plans to invest R21.7 billion over the next five years to upgrade key airport infrastructure, signalling confidence in the long-term growth and recovery of South Africa’s aviation industry.
While discussing innovation, Creecy emphasised that safety and security must remain central to aviation development. Referring to recent security incidents at OR Tambo International Airport and other points of entry, she warned of increasingly sophisticated criminal networks attempting to exploit weaknesses within international aviation systems.
She called for improved screening processes, stronger coordination between agencies, and a more integrated approach to aviation security to maintain public confidence in the system.
The Minister also addressed emerging technologies such as drones and remotely piloted aircraft systems, noting that South Africa was among the first countries to begin regulating drone operations. She stressed the importance of ensuring that innovation is matched with proper regulation, standardization, and safety oversight.
Sustainability was another key theme of the address. Creecy referenced discussions around sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are becoming increasingly important as the global aviation industry works toward reducing carbon emissions in line with international environmental targets.
She revealed that ICAO has assisted South Africa with a feasibility study exploring the development of sustainable aviation fuels using locally produced sugar as a feedstock. The study also examines the potential use of Mossel Bay as a refining hub for SAF production.
According to Creecy, the proposal has already generated interest from government departments responsible for agriculture and petroleum resources, with further collaboration between government and industry expected.
In concluding her address, Creecy reminded delegates that aviation safety and performance are shared responsibilities that require cooperation between regulators, operators, and every stakeholder within the industry.
She urged the sector to continue innovating while ensuring that safety remains uncompromised, warning that in aviation, “the margin for error is small, and the cost of inaction is high.”
