Cape Town - The Civil Aviation Authority board on Wednesday appointed Zakhele Thwala as the organisation's interim director.
The appointment of Thwala follows the departure of Colin Jordaan whose contract ended in December, the CAA said.
"As the board of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) we wish to thank Captain Jordaan for his contribution during his tenure at the helm of SACAA and wish him well with his future endeavours," it said.
"Mr Thwala will act as the head of the SACAA until a permanent director of civil aviation has been appointed."
Thwala started his aviation career in 1988 at the Ethiopian Airlines School of Pilot and Engineering Training.
He has experience at a number of entities including South African Airways, the South African Air Force, Denel Aviation and Gauteng's transport department.
He currently holds the position of deputy director-general at the transport department, with aviation his main area of responsibility.