Possible upgrades for Margate Airport

EVEN though CemAir is happy with the Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s contribution to the Margate airport, the airline chief executive officer, Miles van der Molen, requested the municipality to improve the airport facilities.

At an executive committee meeting held at the Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s council chambers, Mr van der Molen revealed that the Margate airport needed some upgrades for business to do well. “The airport needs functioning restaurant facilities. We know that the restaurant tender has been advertised but till this day, it hasn’t been awarded to anyone. The restaurant would be good for people waiting for their flights at the airport,” he said.

He added that the terminal building needed to be upgraded, signage needed to be improved and he added that the route to the airport wasn’t very visible.

Mr van der Molen requested the municipality consider making a route to the airport from the N2. “The route would be easier for people because they wouldn’t have to drive through a residential area,” he explained.

In response HCM municipal manager Max Mbili said that the municipality would make sure that the restaurant tender is awarded in the next three weeks. He added that the municipality had R2.2 million, which would be used to upgrade the airport. Mr Mbili said the improvement would start in July.

“The Margate airport is a good story for the HCM to tell, so we will do whatever it takes to make sure that the airport is up to standard,” said HCM mayor Cynthia Mqwebu.

CemAir’s CEO also revealed that they were receiving a positive response.

“We have had over 300 flights since November last year, and we have flown close to 5 000 passengers,” said Mr van der Molen.

He added that they are booked until January and flights would be available daily as from June this year.