Afriviation
12th Oct 2006, 20:28
Not a very good start to the proposed development of Aviation in that part of the country
MEC flies in face of legal opinion
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Bhisho airline is legal and will continue air link, he insists
By DEON VAN DER MERWE
PROVINCIAL Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo is flying in the face of impending legal action, vowing that Ntinga Aviation will maintain its daily return air link between Bhisho and Mthatha.
Speaking to the media in his King William’s Town office yesterday afternoon, Mhlahlo lashed out. “I will not be pushed around and dictated to by parties interfering with government’s policy of promoting greater black involvement in the aviation industry.
“The industry is dominated by whites ... but there are blacks and coloureds hiding there. It is our (government) duty to create opportunities for greater involvement of blacks, coloureds and Indians in the aviation industry.
“The Blue Skyways Aviation Initiative with Ntinga providing the service between Bhisho and Mthatha is in line with government policy of greater black involvement in the aviation industry.
“Ntinga is 100 percent black-owned and its quote of R188999,80 for flying the route during October was the lowest of three we received. River Air quoted R195519,81 and East London Air Services (Elas) the most expensive at R230259,60. These were among the criteria on which Ntinga got the contract.”
The MEC said it was “a lie” that Ntinga was operating a commercial service illegally.
Although it was not licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly commercially, the MEC stressed that its partners, African Ramble from Cape St Francis and Shelton-Grinrod (Port Elizabeth), did have licences.
“So it is a lie to say there is no licence,” Mhlahlo emphasised.
He added that the contract was a once-off exercise during October, “Aviation Month”.
From November, any other viable propositions to enhance financial activity and growth at all of the provinces’ airports would be considered.
He was speaking after Elas this week moved to have Ntinga grounded – just one week after the air link got off the ground. Elas also questioned the department’s decision to award the air link contract to Ntinga.
Commenting from Johannesburg yesterday, the CAA’s acting head of operations, Vuyani Buka, said “anybody can register with the Department of Trade and Industry as an ‘aviation company’.
“But they can’t operate, lease aircraft and employ pilots without a licence. What they can do is get a tender and sub-contract it to a licensed aviation operator.
“We don’t know what Ntinga Aviation is doing ... but we have heard reports and will need to investigate.”
He added that the CAA would fly to Bhisho next week to probe the situation thoroughly.
Legal counsel for Elas last night said it was left with no option but to follow the legal route and apply to the Bhisho High Court for an order interdicting Ntinga from flying. Papers could be served before the end of the week.
Acknowledged SA aviation expert Marette Fouchee, of FJC Aviation, said in terms of the Aviation Act “no one can operate an air service unless that person has an air service licence”.
l MEC for Health Nomsa Jajula said yesterday she had cancelled Ntinga’s contract to provide her department with an emergency air ambulance service. She gave the reason as “concerns around compliancy issues” when she was asked about the contract during a report-back session of the provincial government’s social needs cluster in Bhisho. She added that the service would be provided by East London’s AV8 Helicopters.
MEC flies in face of legal opinion
</U>
Bhisho airline is legal and will continue air link, he insists
By DEON VAN DER MERWE
PROVINCIAL Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo is flying in the face of impending legal action, vowing that Ntinga Aviation will maintain its daily return air link between Bhisho and Mthatha.
Speaking to the media in his King William’s Town office yesterday afternoon, Mhlahlo lashed out. “I will not be pushed around and dictated to by parties interfering with government’s policy of promoting greater black involvement in the aviation industry.
“The industry is dominated by whites ... but there are blacks and coloureds hiding there. It is our (government) duty to create opportunities for greater involvement of blacks, coloureds and Indians in the aviation industry.
“The Blue Skyways Aviation Initiative with Ntinga providing the service between Bhisho and Mthatha is in line with government policy of greater black involvement in the aviation industry.
“Ntinga is 100 percent black-owned and its quote of R188999,80 for flying the route during October was the lowest of three we received. River Air quoted R195519,81 and East London Air Services (Elas) the most expensive at R230259,60. These were among the criteria on which Ntinga got the contract.”
The MEC said it was “a lie” that Ntinga was operating a commercial service illegally.
Although it was not licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly commercially, the MEC stressed that its partners, African Ramble from Cape St Francis and Shelton-Grinrod (Port Elizabeth), did have licences.
“So it is a lie to say there is no licence,” Mhlahlo emphasised.
He added that the contract was a once-off exercise during October, “Aviation Month”.
From November, any other viable propositions to enhance financial activity and growth at all of the provinces’ airports would be considered.
He was speaking after Elas this week moved to have Ntinga grounded – just one week after the air link got off the ground. Elas also questioned the department’s decision to award the air link contract to Ntinga.
Commenting from Johannesburg yesterday, the CAA’s acting head of operations, Vuyani Buka, said “anybody can register with the Department of Trade and Industry as an ‘aviation company’.
“But they can’t operate, lease aircraft and employ pilots without a licence. What they can do is get a tender and sub-contract it to a licensed aviation operator.
“We don’t know what Ntinga Aviation is doing ... but we have heard reports and will need to investigate.”
He added that the CAA would fly to Bhisho next week to probe the situation thoroughly.
Legal counsel for Elas last night said it was left with no option but to follow the legal route and apply to the Bhisho High Court for an order interdicting Ntinga from flying. Papers could be served before the end of the week.
Acknowledged SA aviation expert Marette Fouchee, of FJC Aviation, said in terms of the Aviation Act “no one can operate an air service unless that person has an air service licence”.
l MEC for Health Nomsa Jajula said yesterday she had cancelled Ntinga’s contract to provide her department with an emergency air ambulance service. She gave the reason as “concerns around compliancy issues” when she was asked about the contract during a report-back session of the provincial government’s social needs cluster in Bhisho. She added that the service would be provided by East London’s AV8 Helicopters.