Durban - After years of unsuccessful attempts to re-establish flights between Margate and Joburg’s OR Tambo International airports, the Hibiscus Coast Municipality is relaunching the route on Friday, with two flights a week.
The municipality said it would be signing an agreement with Joburg airline CemAir that would coincide with the landing of the inaugural flight at Margate Airport this week.
Simon Soboyisa, a Hibiscus Coast spokesperson, said the municipality was pleased about the resumption of flights. Tickets would cost R1 249 one way. CemAir provides a regional service to provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape.
“The official signing ceremony will be attended by both parties – the Hibiscus Coast Municipality and the management of CemAir,” Soboyisa said.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Treasury, which has been integral in the facilitation of the process, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and key stakeholders from the travel and hospitality industry will also be in attendance.”
Soboyisa said the airline was expected to have two flights a week, on Fridays and Sundays. However, there would be flights daily from December 9 until January 12.
Travellers could book online at www.flycemair.co.za and by e-mail at [email protected]
Benefit
“The municipality believes that this will alleviate a heavy burden for the people of Hibiscus Coast and our visitors, who have to travel more than 160km to King Shaka International Airport,” Soboyisa said.
“It is anticipated that the service will also be of benefit to neighbouring municipalities in the Eastern Cape.”
CemAir’s chief financial officer, Laura van der Molen, said the company was a specialised airline and aircraft leasing company and previously had mainly offshore contracts in Africa and the Middle East.
“We have been operating for eight years, but for the past 10 months we have been operating scheduled flights from Joburg to Sishen in the Northern Cape and Ellisras in Mpumalanga, where construction of the Medupi power station is taking place.”
Van der Molen said CemAir was excited about the new route to Margate and would use one of its 19-seater Beech aircraft for the service.
The company had longer-term plans to develop the route and even offer daily flights, depending on demand.
Ugu South Coast Tourism chief Justin Mackrory said the new service was needed and would help sell tourism on the South Coast.
“An opportunity has presented itself and, given the reasonable ticket prices for the service, I have no doubt this service will go from strength to strength.
“The Hibiscus Coast Municipality, business and the tourism fraternity should be congratulated on facilitating a process for this service.
“Ugu South Coast Tourism fully endorses this initiative.
“Our gratitude also goes to CemAir for making this valuable contribution to our tourism services mix.” - The Mercury