Sunday, July 27, 2025
Tshwane is moving to restart nonstop rider flights betwixt Wonderboom National Airport successful Pretoria and Cape Town, pinch government-backed licensing and infrastructure upgrades underway. For travellers and residents, this alteration promises shorter journeys and greater convenience.
For group successful Tshwane and beyond, nan imaginable of flying straight betwixt Pretoria and Cape Town offers clip saved, less hassles, and renewed location opportunity.
Official Clearance: SACAA Upgrades Airport Licence
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) reinstated Wonderboom Airport’s Category 5 aerodrome licence connected August 8, 2023, restoring its eligibility to big scheduled commercialized rider services aft years of non-compliance that led to downgrading successful 2019 . Regulatory compliance gaps—such arsenic runway markings, debris, lighting, and security—have since been addressed done systematic corrective measures.
Licensing Pathway: Air Service Licensing Council Review
Under nan Air Service Licensing Act, 1990, nan Air Service Licensing Council (ASLC)—under nan Department of Transport—must o.k. immoderate caller home way application. As of mid-2025, applications to motorboat nan Pretoria–Cape Town work are nether review. However, SASAA’s return of assembly management to nan Department of Transport successful October 2024 intends nan DoT now straight oversees licensing decisions.
Infrastructure Revival astatine Wonderboom
Tshwane’s metropolis activity has completed awesome upgrades astatine nan airport: runway resurfacing, enhanced terminal facilities, improved lighting, information upgrades, and rider lounges.
Historical Route & Airline Interest
In August 2015, Airlink launched thrice-daily flights betwixt Pretoria and Cape Town utilizing Avro RJ85 and Embraer ERJ135 aircraft. However, nan work ended successful May 2018 owed to unprofitability, contempt trading efforts by Tshwane and associated task pinch South African Airways.
Since then, nan way has remained inactive but has remained a privilege owed to its imaginable for connectivity and nationalist demand. Airlink has stated it remains unfastened to resuming work erstwhile conditions improve.
Regional Economic Impact & Tourism Potential
Restoring this way is expected to use business travellers, authorities delegations, and visitors visiting some cities. Cape Town, arsenic a awesome tourism hub, and Pretoria, arsenic an administrative centre, make dependable demand.
Tourism stakeholders task stronger home recreation flows betwixt nan 2 cities, enabling packaged recreation that spans nan administrative, cultural, and coastal attractions of South Africa. The relaunch aligns pinch nationalist carrier priorities outlined successful nan Department of Transport’s strategical roadmap.
Planning & Public Engagement
The Department of Transport began soliciting nationalist comments connected nan way exertion nether nan Licensing Council process. Meanwhile, Tshwane officials proceed to prosecute stakeholders successful examining nan business case, and measure imaginable hose partners to resume nan way nether sound financial models. The DoT has besides digitised aerial work licence submission via email and online portals, streamlining processing and oversight
Looking Ahead: Scaling nan Relaunch
If licenses are granted, airlines whitethorn initially propose 2–3 play flights, scaling based connected demand. As home request builds, nan way could germinate into regular service. Transport authorities and metropolis stakeholders are optimistic this way will yet easiness congestion astatine OR Tambo International Airport and supply a much localized replacement for Tshwane-based travellers.
Conclusion
In elemental words: Tshwane is moving pinch nationalist aviation regulators to restart rider flights betwixt Wonderboom Airport successful Pretoria and Cape Town, backed by licence upgrades and infrastructure investments. The move promises stronger home connectivity, tourism growth, and economical vitality for nan region. For section travellers and industries, it’s a welcomed displacement toward better, faster, and much accessible aerial travel.