The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs gazettes the proposed fees for the Provision of Aviation Meteorological Services to be applied by the Aviation Industry and invites public comments
The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa published under the South African Weather Services Act, (Act No. 8 of 2001) the proposed regulations regarding fees for the provision of aviation meteorological services in Gazette No.37343 dated14 February 2014.
On 19 April 2013, the Department of Environmental Affairs as advised by the Regulating Committee for Meteorological Services (RCMS) successfully promulgated the fees for the provision of aviation meteorological services. The promulgated fees were published in a Government Gazette No. 36391. The South African Weather Services Act, (Act No. 8 of 2001), states that SAWS may charge fees for the provision of any commercial service which includes aviation and maritime meteorological services in order to achieve its obligations.
As part of the consultation process, the tariff review was thoroughly conducted between SAWS and the representative bodies of the airline industry, inter alia, the Airline Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA). The department of Transport was also informed of the proposed tariffs.
There are two categories of fees, in Category 1; the provision of aviation meteorological services in respect of an aircraft with a maximum certified mass (MCM) of 2000 kilograms and above, will be liable to pay the fees for the next coming three financial years are as follows:
- 1 April 2014 – 31 March 2015: R45.66
- 1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016: R47.17
- 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017: R45.15
Exception Rule: Aircraft with an MCM between 2000 and 4999 kilograms that operate exclusively under Visual Flights Rules (VFR) fall into Category 2 below.
Category 2, Aircraft with an MCM below 2000 kilograms and those that qualify according to the exception rule, the tariff is set at zero
Fees are exclusive of value–added tax.
No fees are contemplated with respect to aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations and coastal patrol flights of the South African Air force.
Members of the public are invited to participate by submitting their written comments within 30 days after the publication of the notice in the Gazette.
By post: The Director-General. Department of Environmental Affairs
Attention: Ms Babalwa Bokwe
Private bag X447
Pretoria
0001
By hand: Second floor reception, Fedsure forum building, 315 Corner Pretorius and Lillian Ngoyi Streets, Pretoria, 0001
By e-mail: Bbokwe@environment.gov.za or by fax to: (012) 320 1167
Any enquiries in connection with the notice can be directed to Mr Tsietsi Mahema at (012) 310 3404
Comments or inputs received after the closing date may not be considered.
For the Gazette, please click on the link below
https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/legislations/sawsa8of2001_aviationmeteorologicalservices_gn37343.pdf
For media queries contact:
Mr Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
