Wonderboom flight schools under fire over self-imposed discounts

The metro has taken a firm stance against non-compliant tenants at Wonderboom National Airport, where a group of flight schools continue to resist paying the full rental rates.

The rates were approved by Council in the 2021/22 financial year, and agreed upon by tenants.

However, several have failed to adhere to the agreement, according to Councillor Godwin Ratikwane, the chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).

The dispute has escalated into a court battle, with the municipality demanding that all outstanding payments be made in line with council resolutions.

During a pre-inspection oversight visit on September 2, Ratikwane raised the alarm over the situation.

He revealed that at least seven flight schools have refused to comply with revised tariffs introduced, choosing instead to continue paying at a self-determined 80% discount.

“This is a blatant disregard of council resolutions. In a city where compliance is the order of the day, we cannot allow deliberate non-compliance by institutions that should know better.

“Most of these flight schools accommodate international students whose studies are subsidised by their home governments or institutions. There is no justification for refusing to pay the city its due,” said Ratikwane.

The Council had initially resolved to remove all discounts at the airport in the 2021/22 financial year, but later revised its position in 2024/25 to grant tenants a three-year phased reduction in discounted rates to cushion the impact.

Despite this concession, the flight schools reportedly continue to defy the resolutions.

Ratikwane said the issue is not just about compliance but also about much-needed revenue.

Wonderboom Airport, which is owned by the municipality, has not undergone major maintenance in the past 20 years.

During the oversight visit, Ratikwane noted visibly dilapidated infrastructure, a reminder of the financial constraints the metro faces in managing the airport.

The airport briefly operated as a commercial hub between 2015 and 2018, hosting regional flights, but its long-term sustainability has been undermined by ongoing disputes with tenants and underinvestment in infrastructure.

Ratikwane has promised that the MPAC will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure accountability.

“We must send a strong message that rules are not optional. The municipality is committed to maximising revenue collection and safeguarding its assets. Everyone who uses public infrastructure must pay their fair share.”

Tshwane MMC for Finance Eugene Modise outlined plans to position the underutilised facility as a central hub for domestic freight.

Modise confirmed that the airport holds a distinct advantage over regional counterparts, especially in handling high-value commodities such as platinum and manganese.

These minerals are typically transported by road from areas such as Rustenburg and Limpopo, regions that generate volumes of export cargo.

He said the metro had set aside funds aimed at revitalising some of the city’s state-owned assets, which also include the Bon Accord quarry and market.

According to metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, five of the 18 strategic interventions outlined in the airport turnaround plan had been completed by October 2022.

These include crucial milestones, such as reclaiming the airport’s Category 5 licence, which was downgraded to Category 2 in 2019, and seeing a 64% growth in generated revenue between the 2020/21 financial year and this year.

Mashigo said this growth marks an improvement, particularly when viewed against the airport’s performance in recent years.

The net loss margins, once standing at -230% in 2020/21, have now improved to -69%, indicating a positive trajectory for the financial year.

Mashigo said one of the most pressing issues is the financial crisis within the metro itself, which limits the availability of resources needed to further progress.

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