The Plettenberg Bay Airport is set for a significant upgrade, including a new terminal building and a longer runway to accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft.
In February 2024, RSA.Aero announced that it had won the tender to upgrade the Plettenberg Bay Airport tender.
The agreement with the Bitou Municipality includes leasing, developing, and operating the current Plettenberg Bay Airport.
RSA.Aero will provide the funding to upgrade essential airport structures. It includes a new passenger terminal and extended runway.
The upgrades will further include an expanded apron and upgraded fire, rescue and emergency service.
The upgraded Plettenberg Bay Airport will adhere to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) category 6 standards.
ICAO Category 6 refers to a specific classification for airports based on the aircraft size they can handle. It includes aircraft like an Airbus A318, Airbus A319, and Boeing 737-300.
Airports in this category need adequate rescue and firefighting (ARFF) resources to handle aircraft of this size.
This includes having the needed equipment and personnel to respond effectively to emergencies involving these types of aircraft.
Other infrastructure advancements at the upgraded Plettenberg Bay Airport include a new car park, service station and additional aircraft hangars.
The Knysna-Plett Herald reported that a zone-based development approach has been adopted to upgrade the airport.
The master plan, presented by RSA.Aero, creates seven zones to optimise the space.
- A new terminal precinct.
- A temporary terminal.
- A private and recreational aviation precinct.
- A corporate aviation and logistics precinct.
- A solar farm phase one and two.
- A wastewater treatment and attenuation dam.
This will provide much-needed infrastructure to unlock the latent demand for air services in the area.
In July 2024, Garden Route Aero (GRA), a subsidiary of RSA.Aero, has started a handover process with the Bitou Municipality for the management of the Plettenberg Bay Airport.
The transition process includes numerous airport-related activities, including contractual reviews, operational planning, and civil infrastructure audits.
One of the main issues is the state of the runway. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has raised observations of structural deterioration in the runway.
Pavement specialists must conduct a detailed assessment of the pavement infrastructure and confirm what remedial work is required on the runway.
Although much work is needed to upgrade the airport, Bitou municipal manager Mbulelo Memani said the partnership will greatly benefit the region.
Plettenberg Bay is one of the most sought-after towns among rich South Africans, and better air travel to the region will significantly enhance its appeal and economy.
However, scheduled services to Plettenberg Bay have been provided intermittently, constraining growth over the years.
The airport currently processes approximately 30,000 passengers per year. It is expected to increase to 150,000 passengers by 2050 if the airport is upgraded to industry standards.
Nick Ferguson, managing director of RSA.aero, said an improved airport would serve a large portion of the Garden Route market in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.
He said safety, efficiency, and predictability are key to successful airport operations. This will be their immediate priority.
“We take our responsibility very seriously and will collaborate with all key stakeholders. Our goal is to co-create, partner, and ensure the airport’s success,” said Ferguson.
The Bitou municipality said its partnership with RSA.Aero is poised to bring about transformative changes and propel the tourism sector in the region.
“The Plettenberg Bay Airport plays a crucial role in our marketing efforts at Plett Tourism. We sell direct access to our domestic and international travellers regularly,” it said.
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