CemAir has suspended flights between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay and reduced flights between Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay due to infrastructure issues at Plettenberg Bay Airport. The airport, downgraded to Category 2 in September 2021, regained its Category 4 status in November 2021 with CemAir’s assistance.
Credit: Twitter/@TourvestDM
However, recent problems have caused the airport to fall below the minimum standard required by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
Garden Route Aero (GRA), a subsidiary of rsa.AREO, took over airport operations from Bitou Municipality on July 1. A joint statement from Bitou Municipality and GRA revealed structural deterioration in the runway, noted by technical experts, engineers, and the SACAA. A notice issued on June 27 called for an investigation into the runway’s safety, as reported by The Knysna-Plett Herald.
Pavement specialists conduct a detailed assessment, and consultations with CemAir and the general aviation fraternity are ongoing. The airport has released conflicting statements regarding its status, with CemAir CEO Miles van der Molen stating that it was alternately closed and reopened.
Miles Van der Molen , CEO of CemAir, stated that continuing to serve Plettenberg Bay under current conditions is not commercially viable. CemAir does not plan to assist the airport this time, hoping the new management’s plan will resolve the issues.
ALSO READ: Airlink increases Durban-Harare flight frequency
