Newcastle Airport set to soar in 2020?

Newcastle Airport, commended by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as a fully-fledged operation airport, will soon become a training destination for aspiring pilots.

Director of Development, Planning and Human Settlements (DPHS), Vish Govender revealed yesterday (October 30) that a nonprofit air ambulance operator has earmarked Newcastle Airport as a training facility for previously disadvantaged individuals, who are interested in pursuing a career in aviation.

Unfortunately, the airport is not ready for scheduled commercial flights yet.

However, the installation of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) last month – a CAA requirement – brings the municipality to a state of readiness for Airlink to take over.

The GNSS system was installed by ATNS (Air Traffic Navigation Services), a company Govender described as ‘the leaders in navigation technology’.

The system guides planes to land safely, taking into account weather and any adverse conditions.

“We also revamped our existing navigation system, the NDB [non-directional beacon] as the airport is also being used by private charter planes which still use the NDB system,” said Airport Operations Manager, Laurence Short.

Govender added, “The airport was approved for CAA inspection, during which the building, safety features, security measures and infrastructure are scrutinised. Some of the snags picked up from our previous inspection include flattening the surface area around the lights and painting the lines on the runway.”

CAA inspections will take place annually, as long as the airport is operational.

“Now, all that is left is for Airlink to have its application to land at OR Tambo International Airport and its route approved by the CAA. We are number 53 on the waiting list at the moment, but we are hoping the CAA will fast-track the process, as we are the only airport that will offer commercial scheduled flights in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.”

Matthew Shunmugam, the Portfolio Committee Chairperson for DPHS, commented:

“The municipality is ready. There is nothing more for us to do Now it’s up to Airlink.”

“The company which approached the municipality to open a flight school in Newcastle did an impressive presentation to Council. They have chosen Newcastle as the destination to train future pilots,” continued Cllr Shunmugam, who indicated a coffee shop and car rental company have already been identified.

Asked about opportunities for revenue generation, Cllr Shunmugam said the municipality would profit from landing fees, as well leasing office space at the facility, but could not recall exact figures that had been projected.

Govender clarified the municipality would not be making any money out of fuel and it has handed the supply of fuel over to Airlink, which already possesses the licenses required for this function.

He further assured the Newcastle Advertiser the two service providers which hadn’t been paid by the contractor have since been paid in full, and the occupational certificate for the building has been finalised.

“We will generate revenue for the municipality from landing fees and leasing out the facility,” he confirmed.

Addressing residents’ skepticism about the success of commercial scheduled flights in Newcastle, Govender said a comprehensive feasibility study took into account the number of people visiting Newcastle from other towns, and included a community survey addressing the likelihood this service would be used.

“We found that parents with children who are studying at tertiary institutions all over the country were very excited about scheduled commercial flights, as well as professional people and staff at government departments,” added Short.

Staff recruitment for the airport will be driven by Airlink, not the municipality.

However, Cllr Shunmugam assured the public local residents would be given preference.

Newcastle Municipality has repeatedly been mocked for hosting a grand opening of the airport long before it would be ready to offer scheduled commercial flights but Govender explained those who scoffed at the opening, probably did not realise six planes landed at the airport daily and enjoyed the use of the upgraded facility already.

“The airport is already in use by private chartered planes. It is only the commercial scheduled flights, which is still in the pipeline,” concluded Govender.

ALSO READ: Scheduled flights come to Newcastle in 2020

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