Book your flight: EL airport is opening up again

Screening forms to be completed before arrival

East London Airport will resume flights this week after being given the green light for takeoff.

Transport minister Fikile Mbulala announced late last week that East London, George and Kimberley airports had all met the requirements and were set to resume operations.

Airports Company of SA spokesperson Senzeni Ndebele said: “We will receive the first flight as scheduled by the airlines. So far we are aware that FlySafair will be flying from Johannesburg to East London as of July 24.”

Ndebele stressed that all travellers should complete health screening forms before arrival.

“It is so that processing can be quicker and smoother and we can avoid long queues at the airport. The forms are available on our website www.airports.co.za as well as all airline websites when they are doing their bookings.”

Masks are compulsory and limiting person-to-person contact is a key factor.

“Achieving this requires self check-in and scanning your own boarding pass at security and at the departure gate. We also encourage passengers to put items on their person that may trigger the scanner alarm into carry-on luggage or in a clear plastic bag that can be put onto the scanner belt,” she said.

Passengers should arrive at the airport two hours before the scheduled departure time.

“Passengers must use dropand-go facilities or public transport. Only passengers will be allowed into the terminal. Passengers must produce their business travel permission letters at the entrance.”

Black Business Forum chairperson Luthando Bara said regaining passenger trust by protecting their health remained an important consideration.

“The reopening will play an important role in rebuilding the travel and tourism economy. The resumption of flights will surely boost sectors that are permitted to resume operations. Airports are magnets for business and trade. They must get stress-tested as quickly and rigorously as possible so that they can safely open,” he said.

Bara said the aviation economy was a crucial driver of growth and the economic recovery plan of the province.

Border-Kei Chamber of Business

On an aeroplane seat, the tray table should be cleaned, as well as high-touch surfaces like the armrest or the remote

executive director Les Holbrook said the commencement had not come without significant lobbying.

“The chamber petitioned all authorities likely to be responsible for granting approval. It is very important that travellers note all the protocols. Tourism and leisure activities are still not allowed,” he said.

Holbrook added that the airline carrier also sought to fly profitable routes.

“This suggests that East London must take up over 80% of seats per flight. If not, there is the likelihood of flights being cancelled,” he said.

Mthatha Aiport is still closed for air travel.

Industroclean MD Emma Corder said travellers should expect a different experience. The company is a manufacturer and distributor of cleaning products.

“Conditions in crowded spaces such as planes and buses present unique challenges of airflow and proximity so cleaning methodology and competencies are crucial, as is the use of appropriate chemicals and equipment,” she said.

Corder said a good cleaning company would be aware of the importance of a “stepwise” method for cleaning and the use of a colour-code system.

This entails having a different colour bucket and cloth for each area and not mixing them, or the water, as different areas carry different levels of risk.

She added that a ‘ranked’ approach was also important in minimising the spread of pathogens.

“On an aeroplane seat, the tray table should be cleaned, as well as high-touch surfaces like the armrest or the remote because when people touch those surfaces they’re leaving particles on them which could cause infection,” Corder said.