The SA Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has lifted the suspension on one of SA Airlink's 14 grounded Jetstream aircraft.

"The prerequisite aircraft inspections are already underway having commenced last Friday. To date, one Jetstream aircraft belonging to SA Airlink has successful completed its re-certification process, and as such the commissioner for civil aviation has uplifted the suspension on this aircraft," CAA spokesman Kabelo Ledwaba said on Friday.

When the certificates of airworthiness of the Jetstream fleet were suspended on the South African civil aircraft register last month, the CAA indicated that such suspensions would only be uplifted upon successful re-certification inspections of each aircraft.

The re-certification process on the aircraft that passed also involved a thorough inspection of all maintenance processes, said Ledwaba.

"Whilst the aircraft re-certification process is underway, the CAA is simultaneously monitoring the implementation of SA Airlink's corrective action plan that seeks to fully address the findings revealed in the CAA's intensified safety audit."

The CAA believed the positive co-operation and support given to its team of airworthiness inspectors by Airlink would assist in expediting the process of re-certifying the aircraft, resulting in the subsequent upliftment of the suspensions.

BAE Systems, the aircraft airframe manufacturer, said it had provided support to Airlink and consulted with the CAA to get the Jetstream cleared for return to service, with the help of the engine manufacturer, Honeywell.

"The Jetstream has an excellent global safety record and BAE Systems remains confident that the aircraft and its Honeywell engine fully meets international regulatory safety standards.

"One hundred Jetstream aircraft were built, of which 74 are currently in service," it said in a statement.

In addition to SA Airlink, Jetstream aircraft were in service with over 20 operators in Africa, North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

"The aircraft are operated as airliners, corporate transports and for special roles missions. Those in service have completed over two million fleet hours."