Airport tender: third time lucky?

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Political instability, changes in senior management, and a lack of commercial capabilities have contributed to what Steve Pattinson described as a "messy process and inability" to finalise the Plettenberg Bay Airport tender, in a report he submitted to the Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association.

Pattinson, who is chairperson of the Hangars Association and a former chairperson of the Ratepayers Association, said there is now a rush to issue the new tender.

The long-term lease tender for the sustainable use and development of the airport was cancelled on 15 December 2025, following the publication of the new supply chain management requirements on 9 December 2025.

The main change in the tender specification is a reduction of the required bank guarantee, from R200m to R50m.

Key tender components

Pattinson listed the key elements of the tender as:

• A 30-year lease agreement

• Upgrades to the runway to achieve a category five licence within three years

• New agreements with providers of scheduled services

• Negotiated leases with the 41 existing hangar owners

• A detailed service level agreement (SLA) outlining investments, timelines, performance criteria, and employment opportunities for residents.

Timeline and management
The tender was issued on 9 December 2025, with a closing date of 30 January 2026. The airport licence with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) expires on 31 March. A compulsory site meeting for interested parties was to take place on 14 January.

Pattinson praised the airport's current manager, Esmaralda Barnes, noting her 30 years of experience in national and international airports.

"Bitou is fortunate to have an experienced airport manager," he said. "Historically this has been an area of weakness, but the airport is now in the hands of a competent manager. We are hopeful that Bitou will lean heavily on Esmaralda's skillset in the appointment of an airport operator."

The management of the relationship with the SACAA is critical."

Previous operator

Pattinson's report notes that in February 2025, a year after rsa.Aero (Garden Route Aero) was appointed to operate the airport, Bitou Council resolved to terminate the contract with a final settlement payment of R1,8m, citing alleged contractual breaches and difficulties agreeing on an SLA. Legal fees incurred during the process were reported at approximately R3m.

The report states that a new tender process was subsequently initiated. In July 2025, a briefing session was held with new bidders.

The tender document addressed issues from the previous contract but initially included a R200m bank guarantee requirement. Pattinson said that requests to relax this financial requirement were refused, which contributed to delays.

New tender
Four bids were submitted in early September 2025, but none met the bank guarantee requirement, although assurances of financing capabilities were provided.

The municipality decided in December 2025 to cancel the tender and start a new public process. The revised tender has relaxed the financial requirements. Pattinson said the intention was a speedy review and appointment of the airport operator.

Alternative proposals

Some interested parties have submitted proposals suggesting a separation of airport operations from runway funding, which would alter the traditional model in which non-scheduled general operations subsidise scheduled services.

An aviation expert cited in the report said, "If Bitou wants scheduled services, then the government or airlines must find separate funding for these on a separate business case".

Bitou Municipality was approached for comment last week, but has not responded at the time of going to press.

Plettenberg Bay Airport's terminal building. Photo: Chris van Gass