Bitou Municipality backtracks on CemAir decision

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Muncipality has backtracked on its decision to kick CemAir out of the Plettenberg Bay Airport.

Following a meeting held between Bitou’s executive management and CemAir on 22 March the following decisions were made:

That the suspension of the activities of Cemair is withdrawn with immediate effect subject to the submission of South African Civil Aviation Authority approval certificates regarding the airworthiness of the aircraft being utilised by Cemair;
That Cemair may use the airport similar to that of a normal client or user, paying the applicable approved landing and parking fees;
That the matter of passenger fees payable be investigated, awaiting a report from Cemair indicating the contribution of the carrier in this regard;
That the municipality takes note that the account of Cemair is being disputed by Cemair;
That the acting municipal manager table a comprehensive report to council, detailing the chronology of events since CemAir started with its operations at the Plettenberg Bay Airport in March 2014;
That the report include the aspect of the account being disputed as a result of an alleged absence of an agreement.

This after the muncipality announced last week that it had given CemAir notice to cease operations at the Plettenberg Bay Airport after the operator allegedly failed to honour an agreement with the municipality.

CemAir has however in the meantime disputed the claims and the issues has sparked major public outcry.

Municipal spokesman Manfred van Rooyen earlier explained that the operator was granted use of the airport at a fixed monthly fee and since the company had not honoured the provisions of this agreement, council resolved to sever ties with CemAir.

CemAir has since hit back, stating on 27 March the operator signed a written agreement with the Bitou Municipality for the provision of a scheduled air service to Plett by making use of the airport.

“The agreement outlined the terms of use of the aerodrome and gave CemAir use of the facilities at no cost. Little maintenance had been performed at the airport in the previous decade and substantial improvements were required.

The no-fee structure was an essential pre-requisite for CemAir to launch the service and make the necessary infrastructural upgrades to the airport. The entire cost of restoring the facility rested with CemAir. Everything from the paint on the walls, to repairs of the roof, to the installation of the gate onto the apron was provided by CemAir,” the operator said in a statement.

The operator further stated that in February last year, CemAir proposed new terms for the use of the airport which included a five-year minimum lease and a fixed fee arrangement which was to be governed by a new formal agreement.

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ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT

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