Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 28 February 2026
- Provider
- ATNS AIMO
- Field of study
- Engineering
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The 2026 round offered 117 bursaries across the five streams and closed on 28 February 2026.
VerifiedClosed · applications closed on 28 February 2026 Watch the ATNS careers portal for a window in August or September 2026 and another around December 2026 to January 2027. Latest update ↓
Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) is the state-owned company that runs air traffic control across South Africa. Its Air Traffic Services bursary programme trains school leavers for five aviation careers, including Aeronautical Information Management Officer (AIMO), the specialists who compile and publish the charts, notices and data that pilots and controllers rely on. Trainees are paid while they train and employed by ATNS when they qualify.
About the ATNS AIMO Bursary
- Streams: Air Traffic Services Officer (ATSO), Aeronautical Information Management Officer (AIMO), Target Generating Officer (TGO), Airport Management Centre Liaison Officer and Simulator Support Officer (SSO).
- Training at the ATNS Aviation Training Academy in Bonaero Park, Gauteng, next to OR Tambo International Airport.
- Covers the full training programme and a market-related monthly stipend, with employment at an ATNS unit anywhere in the country on qualifying.
- 117 bursaries were awarded across four intakes in the last round.
ATNS Bursary eligibility requirements
- South African citizen with a valid ID.
- Matric with at least level 4 in pure Mathematics and level 4 in English.
- Unemployed and not previously enrolled in a similar ATNS programme.
- Willing to relocate anywhere in South Africa.
- Medically fit; the ATSO stream requires an aviation medical.
How to apply for the ATNS Bursary
- Go to the ATNS careers portal at atns.ci.hr and open the Air Traffic Services bursary listing when a window is open.
- Create a profile, choose your preferred stream and upload a certified ID and Matric certificate.
- Submit online before the closing date; emailed and hand-delivered applications are not accepted. Shortlisted candidates write aptitude tests and attend assessments and medicals before selection.
ATNS Bursary closing date
The last confirmed closing date was 28 February 2026. Expect windows in August to September 2026 and December 2026 to January 2027.
Contact details
- Candidate support: 010 140 3099, candidate.support@ci.hr
- ATNS: www.atns.com
Aviation hopefuls should also see the Civil Aviation Authority bursary and the TETA bursary, and our government bursaries page.
FAQs
1. When does the ATNS AIMO bursary close for 2027? +
ATNS runs several intakes a year with windows of roughly March to April, August to September and December to January. The 2026 round closed on 28 February 2026. Watch the ATNS careers portal for a window in August or September 2026 and another around December 2026 to January 2027.
2. What is the AIMO bursary? +
A training bursary from Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), the state company that runs South Africa's air traffic control, for Aeronautical Information Management Officers. AIMOs compile and publish the aeronautical data pilots and controllers depend on.
3. What does it cover? +
Full training at the ATNS Aviation Training Academy in Bonaero Park near OR Tambo, with a market-related monthly stipend during training and employment with ATNS on qualifying.
4. Who qualifies? +
Unemployed South African citizens with Matric with at least level 4 in pure Mathematics and English, willing to relocate anywhere in South Africa and not previously enrolled in a similar ATNS programme. The ATSO stream also requires a medical.
5. Which other streams are there? +
Air Traffic Services Officer, Target Generating Officer, Airport Management Centre Liaison Officer and Simulator Support Officer; the 2026 round offered 117 bursaries across all five.
6. How do I apply? +
Online only, on the ATNS careers portal at atns.ci.hr, with a certified ID and Matric certificate. Support is on 010 140 3099 or candidate.support@ci.hr.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round offered 117 bursaries across the five streams and closed on 28 February 2026. ATNS runs several intakes a year with application windows of roughly March to April, August to September and December to January. Watch the ATNS careers portal for a window in August or September 2026 and another around December 2026 to January 2027. The details below are from the 2026 call.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
Visit the provider’s website