CAPE TOWN- Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced that seven more South African airports are allowed to reopen from July 1, and that certain aerial work may once again resume, including aerial advertisement.
Mbalula made the announcement via a virtual press conference on Monday regarding the further resumption of operations of the aviation industry.
The four domestic airports which have already been operating since the beginning of June are OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, and Lanseria International Airport.
The following airports will reopen from 1 July:
Bram Fischer International Airport
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport
Port Elizabeth International Airport
Richards Bay Airport
Skukuza Airport
Upington International Airport
The George Airport and the East London Airport will not be able to reopen as they did not meet the department’s hygiene and safety requirements.
The aerial work below will be permitted from 1 July:
Aerial advertisement, including banner towing
Search and rescue
Aerial photography
Agricultural spraying, seeding and dusting
Cloud spraying
Culling
Construction
Aerial harvesting
Aerial patrol, observation and surveying
Fire control
All international flights remain prohibited, except those flights authorised by the Department of Transport such as flights for repatriation purposes, or medical evacuations.
Travellers are urged to arrive at the airport two hours before departure to allow for sufficient time for screening requirements.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority has reviewed its earlier decision of having no catering onboard an aircraft. Airlines are now able to provide pre-packed meals which must be placed in front of the seat for each passenger before they board the aircraft. Mbalula said this will allow for minimal movement on the flight.
Earlier this month Mbalula visited Lanseria International Airport to inspect the airport’s