Following major upgrades, Plettenberg Bay Airport has officially reopened with flights to resume on Friday, November 12. This follows the airport being downgraded by the Civil Aviation Authority in August.
Privately owned airline CemAir played an important role in having the airports licence reinstated. R1 million was reportedly invested to address “severe outstanding non-conformances” cited by the Civil Aviation Authority.
In a statement, CemAir said that an agreement between them and Bitou Local Municipality made it possible to restore the airports Category 4 licence and return CemAir’s scheduled airline flights.
“In terms of the agreement CemAir will engage with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to, jointly with the Bitou Local Municipality, manage the process of rectifying all identified non-conformances. As the owner of the Airport, the Municipality will provide its full co-operation and support to expedite this process.”
The duration of the agreement between the two parties will allow for the implementation of the Council Resolution to outsource the management of the airport to a suitably qualified private party through an open and transparent tender process.
“We appreciate the support of the community and firmly believe this is a good example of how public and private sectors can work together for the benefit of all. Additional updates will be provided as progress is made on this initiative,” says CemAir.
However, according to Business Insider, one outstanding “severe finding” still needs to be addressed: the aerodrome has never conducted a full emergency exercise as required.
SACAA reported that they will commit to a date on which the full-scale Emergency Exercise will be conducted. Regardless, CemAir will resume flights on Friday.
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