Gale-force winds, with speeds between 100 km/h and 120 km/h, affected several areas across the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro yesterday, August 14. The SA Weather Services had issued a level 6 warning, its second-highest warning.
Among the disruptions caused by the strong wind was an Airlink plane that encountered difficulties while attempting to land in Gqeberha.
Airports Company South Africa spokesperson, Thea Govindsamy, confirmed that at approximately 07:41, Airlink flight 4Z671 performed a go-around due to an unstable approach caused by strong winds at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.
She said that after the aircraft’s second attempt, it successfully landed at 07:54.
“Pilots reported encountering both positive and negative wind shear, which are sudden changes in wind speed and direction, making the landing particularly challenging,” Govindsamy said.
She added that despite the strong winds, other flights were not affected.
In response to inquiries from PE Express, Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer of FlySafair, clarified that their flights were not impacted by the recent winds. Gordon explained that FlySafair was facing Air Traffic Control constraints unrelated to the weather conditions on August 14 in Gqeberha.
Across the metro, signs of wind damage were evident, with trees and lamp poles uprooted in various areas.
Despite the disruption caused by the winds, Garth Sampson, Gqeberha’s ‘Weather Guru,’ told The PE Express that these winds were not a record for the area.
He added, “The big issue remains the lack of rainfall.”
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson warned road users and motorists to be cautious or avoid the road where possible due to harsh windy conditions.
