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In April 2019, Newcastillians were promised a new era of transport with the official launch of the Newcastle Airport.
However, what is currently happening with the facility since the former Newcastle Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, officially opened the airport carrying a R35 million price tag?
During the launch on 17 April 2019, Cllr Dr Mahlaba said it would take six to eight weeks before the community could take advantage of flights between Newcastle, Johannesburg and Durban.
Unfortunately, this was not to be.
However, during the latter part of 2019, the installation of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) – a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirement— allowed for a state of readiness for Airlink, the service provider for the airport, to take over. The installation was completed in October 2019.
All that was leftover at the time, to see commercial flights taking off, was for Airlink to have its relevant application authorised to land at OR Tambo International Airport and its routes approved by the CAA.
Further noting that as of November 2019, the Newcastle Airport was number 53 on the respective waiting list.
Chatting with the Newcastle Municipality‘s Director for Economic Development and Tourism, Laurence Short, the airport’s official launch took place on the brink of the COVID-19 pandemic playing a big role in slowing down the project.
“Due to the devasting impact, the planned agreement with the service provider was cancelled as SA Airlink succumbed to the financial pressure of the pandemic,” he explains.
In 2020 and 2021, Short describes that the local municipality attempted to secure a service provider through a published Expression of Interests, which was unsuccessful.
“The Airline Industry was severely impacted as the restrictions placed on domestic and international travel damaged the Airline Industry,” he points out.
Late in 2021, Short explains that the municipality once again embarked on acquiring a service provider to operate cargo and/or passenger flights. As a result of their efforts, he says, “The municipality is currently ceased with this process which should be completed by December 2022.”
Considering the delays, Short stresses that the Aviation and Tourism industry were some of the most severely impacted industries throughout this pandemic.
“This played a significant role in the delays of acquiring a service provider as many companies were hesitant to enter into agreement as the economic climate was unpredictable and unstable due to harsh lockdown regulations placed. The Local Municipality places high priority on the project as it brings us closer to our vision where by 2035, Newcastle will be a resilient and economically vibrant city, promoting service excellence to its city.”
On top of this, Short explains that SA Airlink cancelled their service agreement in 2019/2020, and the process was aborted to obtain their routes and permission to land at OR Tambo International Airport.
“In the following attempts of advertisements published for Expression of Interest (EOI), it was indicted in the specifications to the potential bidder to offer scheduled flights to and from Durban and Johannesburg. Not specifying O.R Tambo, hence we do not require to be on a waiting list to be accommodated at an International Airport.”
With many claiming the airport is merely standing around, collecting dust, Short says that there is a misconception about the “operation” of the airport.
“The Newcastle airport is fully operational and has been for the past 24 months. There are 12 Municipal hangers at the airport of which 10 are currently occupied, 4 privately owned which are also occupied and 2 new hangers in the pipeline for construction.”
Moreover, he states the airport is utilised daily, with aircrafts landing and departing throughout the day.
“At least several planes are landing and departing at the Airport at an applicable fee,” Short clarifies.
He highlights that the misconception lies with the absence of the service provided for scheduled flights.
“The service may be unavailable at this stage, however due to the unforeseen economic climate, such results were difficult to avoid as many Aviation companies were impacted. However, scheduled flights remain a high priority for the local municipality with the efforts remaining high until such time a provider is acquired.”
When looking at the financial costs of the maintenance and upkeep of the airport and where the funds are sourced from, Short only specified that the operations of the airport are funded through the Operations and Maintenance Budget, not elaborating further on the financial implications.
Therefore, according to the discussion, we can conclude that flights will be available around the Festive Season if all goes according to plan.
The Newcastillian – Online News will keep you posted.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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Comments 9
Glad to hear someone has brought this up I have wandered if it was just another waste of money
Can the airport start operating before we die on route to and fro Joburg, i beg.
Ive been waiting for this as i am an Aviation lover and i would appreciate if someone could advise on how to go about applying for the jobs as i have my certification and which airline will b servicing the community.
Aircraft need fuel to fly are there currently any refuelling facilities at Newcastle Airport ?
Goodness me! Can this be sorted out already, please? I am from Newcastle but I live in Australia. In 2019 I visited South Africa and the drive from joburg to NN was killing and frustrating. If I could land in Joburg and take a domestic flight to NN, I would certainly come to South Africa more often, really!
I appeal to all NN folks to please push for this to happen soon.
Shalom
Thank
Its Dec 2023 and we still waiting.
Am even thinking of applying to service this route with my own bird doing once a week service btwn jog and dbn.
I got 2 65 seaters that I can use if permitted cos I also hail from NN and have a second home there.
Could Mam Mkhize not please start up an airline service for us in NN?
You are all living in a fantasy world. The money spent on the upgrades were simply for the purpose of handing out tenders. When will people realise that political parties are in a race to hand out tenders and that no matter the party in control of the Municipality, all it boils down to helping out comrades for gratification.
The fine print tells us that Newcastle will never see regular commercial flights, ever.