Air force keen to accomodate airlines

THE South African Air Force (SAAF) is keen to explore co-use of Air Force Base (AFB) Overberg in the southern Cape for commercial purposes and recently said negotiations with several airlines were under way.

"There are discussions between the SAAF and various airlines to use AFB Overberg as a diversion airfield," Col PM Motlhabane, a spokesman for the SAAF, said. "The SAAF welcomes the concept of co-use and the sharing of infrastructure as it brings down the cost of maintenance and support as well as maximising the effective use of facilities."

He said the base was only equipped to deal with diversions and emergencies, but expanded co-use agreements were being explored.

The base has been used in the past as a diversion destination by airlines flying to Cape Town and some airlines are in the process of renegotiating their contracts with the SAAF.

However, Motlhabane said that there had been indications through informal channels to entice commercial airlines to expand their use of AFB Overberg and other bases by putting on scheduled flights.

However, full co-use of the base in the long term would require some expansion as well as additional equipment to handle air traffic, passengers and support for commercial aircraft.

"Excluding the administrative buildings, hangars and workshops used specifically for SAAF aircraft and equipment storage, the base is equipped with a control tower, a small arrival and departure area and fire fighting services.

"The airfield is also equipped with the normal navigation and landing aids which are required to handle air force and commercial aircraft," said Motlhabane. However, while regional councils, such as the Overberg district municipality, were keen to use AFB Overberg for commercial aviation, many airlines, including Comair, did not believe there was sufficient passenger demand to sustain regular, scheduled flights to the base.

Source: Business Day