The Western Cape Minister of Finance, David Maynier, is calling on government to reopen George Airport to save businesses and jobs in the area.
Air travel will reopen in three phases, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said in a briefing. The airports allowed to operate during Phase 1 on Level 3 are OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport and Lanseria International Airport.
The second phase plans to reopen Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Polokwane International Airport and Bram Fischer Airport in Bloemfontein.
Phase 3 would likely include airports in Kimberley, Upington, East London, Mthatha and Port Elizabeth. George Airport was not listed to open on Level 3.
‘Considering the significant role this airport plays in providing access to the Garden Route District for many business travellers across South Africa, this is bad for business at a time when we should be doing everything we can to open the economy safely and responsibly in the Western Cape,’ said Maynier in a statement.
Maynier added that businesses in George and the Greater Knysna region are heavily dependent on business travellers having access via the George airport. ‘To not allow the airport to open during Alert Level 3 will mean continued hardship with likely job losses and business closures as a result. We believe these negative impacts can be prevented if the George Airport is allowed to open swiftly.
‘And so, I have written to the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, to request an urgent re-consideration of this decision.’
The @georgeairport hasn’t been allowed to open under Alert Level 3. This is an important airport for many business travellers working in the Garden Route District, and so we’re requesting an urgent re-consideration of this decision.
Read full statement 👉https://t.co/94B7qdPE0L pic.twitter.com/tbmTASI4hS
— David Maynier (@DavidMaynier) June 3, 2020
Image credit: Facebook/George Airport
