Flying club to assist implementation

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Van der Molen said they were not prepared to half-start a project and this was the reason for the long delay.

What had changed?

“Look, we could have forced things through at the time, but that would have had no practical value. Support from the municipality and the community must come naturally.

“I think the elections helped: there’s a different mood and people are more oriented towards national outcomes.”

A series of meetings with local stakeholders would follow, to establish what capacity was required, scheduling and other operational matters – “the meat of the project” – Van der Molen said.

“The MOU is a record of intent; however, we’re certainly pursuing this actively now and once we’ve had the time to ensure everything has been comprehensively thought through, we’ll be able to stand behind this exciting project.”

Cemair had hoped to start scheduled flights at the beginning of 2017.

“We’ve burnt through too much time for that though, so we’re probably looking at starting in the next academic change of season - late March/early April.”

Cemair would consult with educational institutions, local businesses and residently about scheduling, he said.

Straightforward

The Grahamstown Flying Club’s representative on the oversight committee for commercial operations, Ron Weissenberg, said there were some relatively straightforward items to be completed at the aerodrome, such as upgrading of security which mainly involved fencing and a secure area for passengers and luggage.

“In order to facilitate the process, the Flying Club Committee members have volunteered their time to assist our municipality and Cemair with practical implementation,” Weissenberg said.

Application for approval for automated instrument approach technology, subsidised by Innowind, was submitted to the SA Civil Aviation Authority about two years ago.

“The Flying Club is in regular contact with the CAA and even sent a representative to the CAA offices in Johannesburg,” Weissenberg said. “The CAA has advised they will attend to it in the normal course.

“However, the new technology approach should not delay a scheduled operator from commencing the service, as they will operate during daylight hours and clear conditions initially.”

While Cemair will pay landing fees to Makana, these will not contribute significantly to the municipality’s coffers.

Explaining the economic advantage to Grahamstown and its surrounds of the proposed air service, Meiring said: “Having an air passenger transport service would assist in attracting tourists because of the convenience to fly directly.

“Events like the National Arts Festival would also benefit in that it makes it easier for people who previously might have decided not to come to the Festival from Gauteng because they had to drive from PE or East London.

“(A scheduled air service) also contributes to accessibility for school children, the University, and business people.”

Meiring said once this service was available, other economic opportunities would be unlocked, for example, the proposed airfield precinct development, currently in its concept phase.