Economy boost for Garden Route and George Airport

GARDEN ROUTE A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifying a commitment to enhance connectivity was signed recently.

George Airport and Garden Route District Municipality (Garden Route DM), will commit to the connectivity between national gateways, cities and surrounding areas through a 3-phase collaborative project. After signing the MOU, Charles Shilowa, Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) Group Executive Business Development, said: “A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. There have been ongoing discussions between the ACSA team and Garden Route DM about access to the George Airport, which serves as a gateway to this district. The airport is strategically positioned for economic activity, and this is one of the reasons why a partnership between ACSA and Garden Route DM will ensure that the aspirations stimulating economic growth in the region are realised.”

The three phases will involve the following Phase 1

Scoping of key new or existing air routes on a regional, national and intercontinental level, which will see trade and tourism enhanced, a project team will be appointed to compile a list of business cases that focus on target markets and prospective markets that could be reached by a non-stop air service.

Phase 2

The analysis of potential markets, identification of potential airline partners, research and development for the airlift strategy, a 3-year implementation plan for the establishment of new routes linking the Western Cape to other provinces and contents and the establishment of the steering and project committees through the nomination of representatives by all stakeholders. The implementation of the identified route opportunities. Development of incentive schemes for the latter and the possibility of involving more direct private sector participation in the project.