7 more SA airports reopen as air regulations relax

Published Jun 29, 2020

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CAPE TOWN- Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced that seven more South African airports are allowed to reopen from July 1, and that certain aerial work may once again resume, including aerial advertisement.

Mbalula made the announcement via a virtual press conference on Monday regarding the further resumption of operations of the aviation industry.

The four domestic airports which have already been operating since the beginning of June are OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, and Lanseria International Airport.

The following airports will reopen from 1 July:

Bram Fischer International Airport

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

Pietermaritzburg Airport

Port Elizabeth International Airport

Richards Bay Airport

Skukuza Airport

Upington International Airport

The George Airport and the East London Airport will not be able to reopen as they did not meet the department’s hygiene and safety requirements.

The aerial work below will be permitted from 1 July:

Aerial advertisement, including banner towing

Search and rescue

Aerial photography

Agricultural spraying, seeding and dusting

Cloud spraying

Culling

Construction

Aerial harvesting

Aerial patrol, observation and surveying

Fire control

All international flights remain prohibited, except those flights authorised by the Department of Transport such as flights for repatriation purposes, or medical evacuations.

Travellers are urged to arrive at the airport two hours before departure to allow for sufficient time for screening requirements.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority has reviewed its earlier decision of having no catering onboard an aircraft. Airlines are now able to provide pre-packed meals which must be placed in front of the seat for each passenger before they board the aircraft. Mbalula said this will allow for minimal movement on the flight.

Earlier this month Mbalula visited Lanseria International Airport to inspect the airport’s

adherence to lockdown regulations