Still no lift-off at Bay airport

AIRLINK, the privately-owned airline operating the Johannesburg-Richards Bay route, has decided to again postpone the resumption of its local services until June.

This means locals must continue to drive the N2 and commute inland via King Shaka Airport.

Meanwhile, the uMhlathuze Municipality says it is still in the process of appointing a new company to oversee the running of the Richards Bay Airport.

The municipality's Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane, said the decision to appoint a new company was taken when the contract of the previous service provider ended.

'We hope this process will be finalised in time to ensure the airport is ready to receive flights and passengers in June,' said Ncalane.

Airlink spokesperson, Karin Murray, said the airline will reevaluate the situation this month before making an announcement on when flights will resume.

The airline's services were suspended at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in March last year, owing to travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

After the easing of regulations, the regional airport received the green light to resume operations in July last year, but it remained closed.

In January this year, slow economic activity, operational issues and a decline in travel demand were cited among the reasons for delaying flights to Richards Bay until May.

Airlink Managing Director and CEO, Rodger Foster, said historically there was strong demand on the route, enough to sustain up to three flights every day, but demand dwindled as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, which led to reduced activity at local industries and weakened passenger demand.

‘This has been a major factor slowing the town’s industrial and economic tempo and a subsequent weakening of passenger demand,’ said Foster.