Airport developer, rsa.AERO, has announced its successful bid for the Plettenberg Bay Airport (official confirmation reference SCM/2023/130/EDP).

The company describes the achievement as a momentous milestone, propelling it into an important role in ensuring the seamless provision of safe and regular air access into the Garden Route.

rsa.AERO is the owner and operator of the Cape Winelands Airport in the Western Cape. 

The company says it is committed to contributing to improving the lives and livelihoods of the people in proximity to the airports that it operates, subscribing to the aerotropolis concept,  in which a region or town creates a hub of economic activity by integrating residential, commercial, and industrial areas around airports, fostering growth and innovation.

The agreement with the Bitou Municipality includes the leasing, development and operating of the current airport in the ever-growing Western Cape town. According to an rsa.AERO press release, the new operator will provide the necessary funding for the upgrading of essential airport top structures, including a new passenger terminal, extended runway, expanded apron and upgraded fire, rescue and emergency services to ICAO Category 6 standards.

Plettenberg Bay Airport’s infrastructure advancements will include a new car park, service station and additional aircraft hangars. This is intended to provide much-needed infrastructure to unlock the latent demand for air services and realise substantial socio-economic and job creation benefits.

rsa.AERO is committed to expediting the initial on-boarding process, anticipated to take in the region of three to five months, at which time rsa.AERO will assume responsibility for all elements of airport operations.

During this time, the company will prioritise engagement and consultation with on-airport and off-airport stakeholders – notably the South African Civil Aviation Authority, operating airline CemAir (running daily flights, the only scheduled services schedule at the airport), the Hangar Owners Association, Plettenberg Bay Tourism and Wesgro, to name a few.

“We are extremely proud of the vote of confidence that we have received from the municipality. We see the airport as an essential asset in the region, with the potential to significantly boost economic activity and enhance tourism. An immediate focus for the team includes a thorough technical due diligence at Plettenberg Bay Airport to ensure a seamless transition and efficient operations,” said Nick Ferguson, Managing Director, rsa.AERO.

‘Plett’ airport currently processes about 30 000 passengers per annum and, according to rsa.Aero, this is expected to grow to an estimated 150 000 passengers by 2050 if the airport is upgraded to industry standards.

“An improved airport will serve a large portion of the Garden Route market in Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and their environs and if growth is sustained, will create significant local jobs on a sustained basis,” said Ferguson.

Miles van der Molen, CemAir CEO, told Tourism Update that it was true the Bitou Municipality had exhibited challenges with the airport in the past, and there had been very low investment in Plettenberg Bay airport.

He said in the past 10 years CemAir itself had propped up the facility heavily.

Can Plett Airport be made to work into a commercial viable, profitable and sustainable facility?

Van der Molen said: “We (CemAir) are the biggest user – and we have one flight a day, around 20 000 pax per year, both commuters and repeat visitors. The numbers can’t be grown infinitely. We will see incremental, rather than explosive growth for this airport.”