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I was recently on a scheduled flight (Boeing 737) from Victoria Falls (VFA) to Johannesburg (JNB). At the check in desk I was informed the flight was stopping at Livingston (LVI) on route.

When I boarded the flight there were already passengers on board from a previous stop. We then took off, climbed to 10,000 feet and landed 8-10 minutes later in Livingstone. Without a safety briefing (I noticed the air stewards talking to the people sitting in the wing exit row, but there was no announcement to the other passengers other than the captain explaining the flight plan).

After complaining to the cabin crew the pilot came and spoke to several passengers during the LVI -> JNB section of the flight. He justified the lack of safety briefing for VFA -> LVI section because the plane was not near a large body of water and wouldn't be reaching an altitude where oxygen would be required.

I have since complained the British airline that owns the plane used on the flight and the forwarded the complaint to the South African operator of the flight. The replied with it was against policy and the all crews have been instructed to do a full briefing in future.

What I want to know is whether the airline has breached any local (South African) laws or International Regulations?

Mark Mayo
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Stuart
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1 Answers1

17

Yes, the lack of passenger briefing is a breach of one of the following technical standards from the "South African Civil Aviation Authority":

  • SA-CATS 121 Air Transport Operations: Carriage on Aeroplanes of more than 19 Passengers or Cargo
  • SA-CATS 135 Air Transport Operations: Carriage of less than 20 Passengers or Cargo

It seems impossible to deep-link to the documents, but a complete list of acts, regulations and standards can be found here. The relevant part of the regulations can be found here (the requirements seem identical regardless of the number of passengers).

There is also a similar regulation from FAA in 14 CFR 91.519: Passenger Briefing.

Tor-Einar Jarnbjo
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