The Department of Transport has noted with concern media reports insinuating intentions to halt the services of Emirates Airline to South Africa.
We wish to state categorically that there are no intentions on the part of the South African government to do so.
It is unfortunate that private and confidential correspondence between the department and the SA foreign mission in the United Arab Emirates found itself in the hands of information peddlers who leaked it to media.
Without the necessary and relevant context, the contents of the correspondence have been blown out of proportion and consequently created undue media frenzy and panic.
Bilateral discussions between SA and the UAE are underway with a view to primarily resolve two issues, namely:
- The request by Emirates Airline to introduce a fourth daily flight to Johannesburg (ORTIA).
- The Bilateral Air Service Agreement between SA and the UAE under which Emirates Airline operates.
Regarding the request to introduce a fourth flight to JHB, it must be noted that this flight by Emirates Airline is currently in operation on the basis of “a letter of authorisation” to do so which was unduly granted by an official of the Department of Transport with NO authority to do so.
In our attempt to correct this anomaly, Emirates Airline approached a court of law to seek an interdict against the Department of Transport from halting the fourth flight to JHB.
Technically, the fourth flight is currently operating on the basis of the court interdict as the Department of Transport has stated its intention to withdraw the authorisation by the official who has since been suspended due to this unfortunate situation.
The Minister of Transport Ms Dipuo Peters has since delegated the Deputy Director-General for Aviation to travel to the UAE to meet with the head of our foreign mission and the officials of the UAE to resolve the issues at hand.
“We need to attend to these issues with a sense of urgency to ensure compliance with all the statutes governing our Bilateral Air Service Agreement with the government of the UAE. The agreement is the basis on which Emirates Airline is flying to South Africa hence the need for the two governments to urgently meet and discuss all matters related to this.
These discussions are taking place within the spirit of progressive bilateral cooperation between SA and the UAE. It’s critical to urgently deal with any issue that may seek to raise questions around our bilateral relations with the UAE,” says Minister Peters.
The Foreign Operator Permit granted to Emirates Airline by the Department of Transport allows them to fly to SA 56 times a week (14 Cape Town (CTIA), 14 Durban (KIA), 28 JHB (ORTIA) – including the 4th flight in question).
There’s absolutely no need for passengers to panic as there’s no intention to prevent Emirates Airline from flying to SA.
Enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
