South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir and the Bitou Municipality announced in a joint media statement that continual progress has been made toward the closure of non-conformance findings raised by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at Plettenberg Bay Airport (Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ)) in Plettenberg Bay. According to the statement, the implementation of corrections are in their final stages. The CAA has been requested to perform the required follow up inspection on 29 October 2021. Should all regulatory requirements be satisfied it is expected that the airport license will be restored shortly thereafter. Based on the above timelines, CemAir is planning to resume flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay as well as between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay on 12 November 2021. We'll keep you posted!
21 October 2021
SANParks: Update on the opening times of several areas in Table Mountain National Park!
South African National Parks (SANPark) has released an update on the opening times of several areas in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park. This includes Cape Point, Boulders, Silvermine as well as Newlands Picnic Site, Oudekraal Picnic Site and Tokai. According to Table Mountain National Park's Park Manager Mr Frans van Rooyen, the National Park is slowly recovering from the pandemic and visitors are kindly requested to be patient with the Park's management especially with the gate opening times at Cape Point. This is not a permanent decision and things will get back to normal when it's safe to do so.
Gate opening times are as follows:
Cape Point:
- Open daily, 07:00 - 17:00
- The take-away Food Shop and the Funicular operates from Thursdays to Sundays.
- The Curio shop operates Fridays - Sundays
- All beaches at Cape Point do not have lifeguards on duty.
Boulders:
- Open daily, 08:00 - 17:00
- No lifeguards on duty.
- Please check the tides prior to arrival as there is limited space available on the beach.
Silvermine:
- Gate 1: Open daily, 07:00 - 18:00
- Gate 2: Open daily, 08:00 - 18:00
- Braaing is allowed at Silvermine since we're out of fire season. No gas equipment is allowed.
- Please exercise caution when swimming in the dam as it is as own risk and no life guards are on duty.
Newlands Picnic Site:
- From 01 November 2021 entry times at Newlands picnic site will be 08:00 - 16:00 from Monday to Sunday.
- Freestanding braais are not permitted at the picnic sites and SANParks encourages guests to make use of the existing braai facilities.
- No alcohol or Gazebos are permitted on sites.
Oudekraal Picnic Site:
- Opens only on weekends.
- From 01 November 2021 entry times at Oudekraal picnic site will be 08:00 - 16:00 from Monday to Sunday.
- Freestanding braais are not permitted at the picnic sites and SANParks encourages guests to make use of the existing braai facilities.
- No alcohol or Gazebos are permitted on sites.
Tokai:
- Entry times at the pay point gate/picnic site will open from 07:00 to 18:00.
- Please ensure that if carrying out your activity in the park such as cycling, dog walking and horse riding that you have the requisite permit to do so. The Office in Tokai is open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 15:45 for your queries: (021 712 7471).
- Last-minute accommodation queries please book online at sanparks.org/bookings/ or call central reservations on 012 428 9111. Should you notice a fire anywhere on the mountain please call the TMNP emergency number at 086 110 6417 or 107 from a landline and 021 480 7700 from a mobile phone. Do not attempt to fight the fire on your own.
When out walking, hiking and trail running:
- Table Mountain National Park recommends that you carry out your activity in groups of four (4) or more. Please ensure that you know the route you are taking. If this is the first visit please go with someone who does know the route or hire a guide.
- Please prepare for all-weather temperatures, pack a hat, a weatherproof jacket and lots of water.
- Please ensure you have a map with you.
- Please load SANParks emergency number into your phone before setting off 0861 106 417 or 107 or 021 480 7700 and let someone know which route you will follow and when to expect you to return home.
20 October 2021
Johannesburg: Soweto Tourism has released a status update on the museums in Soweto!
Soweto Tourism, a Local Tourism Association (LTA) in Soweto, has released an status update on the museums in South Africa's biggest and most famous township. According to the LTA, the Hector Peterson Museum, the Mandela House (Nelson Mandela National Museum) in Vilakazi Street, the June 16 Memorial Acre, the Soweto Inspirational Home Museum and the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village are all open the public, while the Kliptown Open Air Museum is currently closed due to vandalism.
Covid-19: The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg has closed again! [update] >>
USA: Delta Air Lines to increase flights to South Africa!
Major US airline Delta Air Lines is planning to expand its services to South Africa. According to news reports, the airline is set to increase flight frequencies between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg from the current three weekly flights to five weekly flights from 19 December 2021. Flights to Johannesburg will then be operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, while the return flights back to Atlanta will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Atlanta 18:05 > 16:30+1 Johannesburg
- Johannesburg 22:55 > 08:15+1 Atlanta
19 October 2021
Air Mauritius to increase flights between Mauritius <> Johannesburg!
The flag carrier of Mauritius, Air Mauritius, is set to expand its services to Johannesburg. The airline, which resumed flights to South Africa on 01 October 2021, will increase the frequency of flights between Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) on Mauritius, the main island of Republic of Mauritius, and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg from the current four weekly flights to seven weekly flights from 07 November 2021. According to the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Air Mauritius is seeing a surge in bookings for Mauritius following the reopening of the country’s borders. In this context, the airline is increasing flights to and from the most popular markets, including South Africa.
United Airlines to resume flights to Cape Town!
United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, is set to return to Cape Town in South Africa. The airline is planing to resume nonstop flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 01 December 2021.
United Airlines and South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink recently signed a codeshare agreement that will offer one stop connections from the U.S. to 45 destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda and the DR Congo.
British Airways to resume flights between London <> Cape Town!
The flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, British Airways, is set to ramp up services to South Africa, with double daily services between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg expected by mid-December 2021. The airline will also restart services between London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, offering three flights a week in November 2021 (02 November 2021?), before moving to a double daily service in December 2021.
As part of the relaunch of its Cape Town service, British Airways Holidays is offering promotions, including special hotel packages in November 2021.