Airline Grounded By SACAA

[ian16th]

This could be the end of CemAir and scheduled flights between Margate and Johannesburg.

[Cacophonix]

As unfortunate as this is...

This could be the end of CemAir and scheduled flights between Margate and Johannesburg.

It is not surprising, sadly, that the judge adjudicated thus!

Did you ever use Comair to fly from Margate ian16th?

Caco

[ian16th]

As unfortunate as this is...

This could be the end of CemAir and scheduled flights between Margate and Johannesburg.

It is not surprising, sadly, that the judge adjudicated thus!

Did you ever use Comair to fly from Margate ian16th?

Caco

No, I've never needed the service.
They only fly (flew?) 'twixt Margate and Joburg and I've had no need or desire to return to Joburg since we came down her, nearly 6 years ago.

[ian16th]

This is only the local weekly rag, but the quote is from a local councillor.

It look like Cemair have gone out of the pax carrying business.

[ian16th]

Court rules against South African CAA.

[Capetonian]

The SACAA have not covered themselves in glory over other groundings.

Thunder City comes to mind.

[ian16th]

It seems as though we, in banana land, will have a service to JHB again!

On 17 October 2019 CemAir received its renewed Aircraft Operating Certificates from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) meaning that CemAir can again operate commercial flights on its South African registered aircraft. As communicated previously, on 29 April 2019 the Civil Aviation Appeal Committee found that CemAir was illegally grounded by the SACAA on 11 January 2019. Despite the uncontested judgement, CemAir was unable to resume operations due to the natural annual expiry of the aircraft operating certificates on 28 January 2019. The processing of the renewal by the SACAA was finalised last week.

This week CemAir will announce the first flights to be resumed on its domestic schedule. The airline expects to provide its leisure destinations of Margate and Plettenberg Bay with flights for the upcoming holiday season with the possible addition of other destinations. CemAir respects the authority and decisions of the Civil Aviation Appeal Committee, an independent panel constituted by the Department of Transport to adjudicate the actions of the SACAA. The 82-page judgement comprehensively deals with all allegations made by and all suspension notices issued by the SACAA. CemAir notes the contents of the SACAA’s press releases and highlight with concern the inconsistencies between these statements and the 29 April 2019 judgement. The SACAA’s website continues to display inflammatory media releases, the contents which have been proven to be false and in contravention of the Civil Aviation Act under which the SACAA is constituted. A copy of the full judgement is available at www.flycemair.co.za.

CemAir is the only truly independent scheduled airline operating regional aircraft and provides services to smaller towns and regional centres. The airline is privately owned and receives no subsidy or funding from the State but rather contributes considerably to tax revenue. In February 2019 the airline employed more than 310 staff and was the only airline connecting Margate and Plettenberg Bay to major centres. CemAir voluntarily participated in the IOSA programme, the global gold standard benchmark safety standard for airlines devised by IATA and CemAir has enjoyed an impeccable safety record across all operations.

“We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience caused throughout this ordeal. We realise that many thousands of travellers were stranded and hundreds of jobs lost directly and indirectly as a result of the SACAA’s illegal actions. We continue to process refunds and can now (at a customer’s election) offer a credit towards future travel. We thank all those who stood by us through this difficult time. We look forward to your continued support as we re-establish our services.” CemAir said.