Pretoria - Airlink flight SA8673, took off from Wonderboom Airport on Sunday night marking the launch of scheduled services between Pretoria and Cape Town.
The inaugural flight was described as a historic and momentous occasion for the people of the capital city at a ceremony hosted at the airport.
Speakers described scheduled flights as the beginning of better things for passengers.
They said the flights would reduce travel time and travel costs for local residents travelling to and from the Mother City.
The service is a joint venture between South African Airways and SA Airlink.
The airline will operate three flights between 6am and 10pm.
The service is expected to offer air travellers in the capital and surrounds, convenience, shorter travel times, cheaper fares, especially during peak hour times and quicker aircraft boarding and disembarking time than at any other airport in the country.
Premier David Makhura, who graced the occasion, cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the scheduled services.
He remarked that the existence of airports in the province should not suggest they are in competition with each other.
Airlink chief executive Roger Foster said the civil aviation authority had done its inspection and tests, and concluded the airport was now ready to function.
Foster thanked the city for the commitment that made the scheduled services at the airport possible.
SA Airways representative Lusanda Jiya hailed the formidable partnership between South African Airways and SA Airlink as having borne fruits to ensure travellers had better access to air travel.
Executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said it was fitting for the city to offer direct flights to the legislative seat of government in Cape Town.
It is expected that the scheduled flights would bring about a tourism boost to benefit guest houses and lodges and B&Bs in Wonderboom and its surrounds.
Travellers are expected to flock to the city to explore its heritage, warm weather, business opportunities and ambiance, said Ramokgopa.
Manufacturing sectors such as the automotive industry located within the catchment and various diplomatic missions and NGOs would also benefit, the mayor said.
Travellers will have internet connection at the airport as the facility has a free Wi-Fi service.
“No more will the people of Tshwane wake up at the crack of dawn to hit the R21 to rush to the OR Tambo Airport in Kempton Park,” said Ramokgopa.
Approximately 40 percent of domestic users of Oliver Tambo International Airport live within a radius of 25km around Wonderboom. The refurbished airport first opened its doors to commercial planes in the early 1990s and again in 2010, but that only lasted for three months.
SA Airlink is to operate three flights a day from Wonderboom at 6.45am, 9.45am and 5.45pm.
Flights from Cape Town to Wonderboom depart at 6.45am, 3pm and 5.30pm.
Travellers can qualify for Voyager Frequent Flyer loyalty miles. The cost for flights advertised on the website is R892. Bookings can be made via SAA Central Reservations on +27 11 978 1111, on www.flysaa.com and www.flyairlink.com
Pretoria News