Direct flights between Grahamstown and Johannesburg could start operating within the next five months.
Direct flights between Grahamstown and Johannesburg could start operating within the next five months.
Joburg-based air company CemAir announced today that they are in the final stages of evaluating a scheduled air service between Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport and Grahamstown.
Director of Grahamstown travel agency Go Travel, Tony Gunton, told Grocott's Mail on Thursday that a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) was on order.
He said the terminal at the Grahamstown airfield was being refurbished in anticipation of the launch of the service in the first quarter of next year.
Speaking from Johannesburg this morning, where he was meeting with CemAir CEO Miles van der Molen to finalise plans for a stakeholder consultation in Grahamstown next week, Gunton said, "There will be a scheduled service from some time in March."
The runway was being upgraded, including the installation of new runway lights, Gunton said.
The craft used will be a 19-seater B1900 turbo-prop plane, Gunton said.
He said initially there would likely be three flights in and out of Grahamstown a week.
CemAir is based at Passenger Terminal B at OR Tambo International Airport.
"So there are no extra transfers necessary."
He said the proposed housing development on the existing golf course would not be affected.
Gunton said developer David Davies was among those who welcomed the economic lift that a direct air connection would bring for Grahamstown.
"There has been so much negative press about Grahamstown in recent months, particularly regarding our infrastructure. This development has the potential to help turn that negative perception around," Gunton said.
In the next 10 days, Van der Molen will meet with business users, tour operators, schools and other stakeholders to discuss a suggested schedule for the two-hour flight between Grahamstown and Johannesburg.
The service could boost major events such as the National Arts Festival and various conferences held in the town throughout the year.
"While the service is being built around a core of business users, tour operators, schools, Festival and the University are also being consulted," Gunton said.
Game lodges that attract international guests are be among those invited to participate in a discussion in the next 10 days about scheduling.
In today's media release Van der Molen confirmed that an information session would be held in Grahamstown in the next two weeks.
"All interested parties are invited to attend and share their opinions on the proposed service," Van der Molen said.
"If you would like to be informed of the time and venue… please send an email to info@cemair.co.za."
Van der Molen was unavailable for further comment at the time of going to press.
