Cemair finally spreads its wings again
Airline operator CemAir announced on Monday evening that it had won its appeal against the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to ground its fleet in January this year.
The SACAA announced on 11 January that it had suspended the airline’s Air Operator Certificates (AOC) following concerns over maintenance controls.
This came after the SACAA announced, just before the festive season, that CemAir – which has regular flights between Plettenberg Bay and other city centres – was no longer able to operate as an airline or air operator or fly any of its 21 aircraft. This was due to a decision by the authority to suspend two of Comair’s AOCs. One of the reasons was those audit findings showed that CemAir had been operating some aircraft outside of permissible loading limits, including weight and balance.
This decision was however challenged by CemAir through an urgent court application. The application was successful and the airline was allowed to continue operations.
The January suspension was also challenged, but the Johannesburg High Court dismissed the matter with costs on Thursday 24 January 24.
Cemair, in a statement on this week, indicated that they appealed the decision and that all notices issued by the SACAA had been overturned by the Civil Aviation Appeal Committee.
“We are completely vindicated and applaud the Department of Transport and the Civil Aviation Appeal Committee for upholding the fair and just principles contained in the Constitution of South Africa.”
The CemAir team said it would provide more information in due course, but did not respond to Knysna-Plett Herald questions about whether flights would be reinstated to and from Plettenberg Bay.
The SACAA did not respond on the lifting of the suspension before going to print.
Read previous articles:
- CemAir wins appeal
- Airline grounded after losing court bid
- CemAir’s flights remain grounded
- CemAir grounded once again
- Court orders CemAir to take off again
- CemAir grounded a second time this year
- Passengers bear brunt of CemAir saga
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News