Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The suspension of CemAir's Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approval has been lifted and several of the operator’s aircraft have been cleared for service – but Plettenberg Bay flights have not resumed yet.
Twelve of their carrier's aircraft were grounded for three weeks on instruction from the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) when it came to light the aircraft had allegedly been serviced and cleared as airworthy by personnel unqualified to do so.
CemAir refuted the claims but worked with the aviation authority to resolve the issue.
The regulator also lifted the grounding of several of CemAir’s aircraft and have committed to expediting the inspection and release of the remaining grounded aircraft.
According to CemAir’s head of scheduled flights Nicolene Myburgh, Plettenberg Bay flights have not resumed yet, as the local airport is not suitable for the types of aircraft that have been released.
SACAA spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said the lifting of the suspension comes after the operator’s successful completion of a five-phase certification process that included among others, document evaluation and demonstration phases.
Ledwaba explained that although CemAir has successfully regained its AMO approval privileges, the “status quo” relating to their 12 aircraft remains the same.
“This means the aircraft are yet to be declared as airworthy by the SACAA and released back to service. Notwithstanding, the lifting of the AMO suspension is a step in the right direction and means the operator is now in a position to officially maintain their own as well as other operators’ aircraft for which they are approved," Ledwaba said.
"This also means that CemAir is now in a position to hopefully speed up the process of getting more of their aircraft ready for inspection by SACAA officials.
"The aircraft will be released back into operation once they are certified as airworthy,” Ledwaba said.
Ledwaba said the SACAA has also noted the fact that the operator has put measures in place that seek to enable them to meet their obligations to their customers.
“In accordance with regulations, nothing prevents CemAir from securing the services of another approved operator to charter or transport passengers on their behalf as the SACAA did not revoke CemAir’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) – a key requirement in running airline operations.”
Scheduled CemAir flights to and from Plettenberg Bay have not yet resumed as the aircraft cleared for service are not suitable for the local airport. Photos: Ewald Stander
She added that the regulator acknowledges CemAir’s cooperation.
“It is a treasured trait in the quest for unquestionable compliance with regulatory requirements.
"The SACAA will continue to guide the operator to ensure that all the commitments outlined in their Corrective Action Plan are met.”
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers, our people and our aircraft is our top priority. For this reason, we are working closely with the SACAA and based on the progress achieved to date we expect to return to full operations soon,” CemAir chief executive Miles van der Molen said in a statement.
Read previous articles:
- Cemair resumes limited schedule
- All above board, says CemAir
- CemAir grounded for now
- Update on CemAir's flights
- CemAir suspends domestic flights
ARTICLE: YOLANDE STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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