GAME LODGES
New airline shuttle serves tourists with road-movie fatigue
SA’s newest airline shuttle service is hoping to win enough business from tourists visiting safari lodges this holiday season to avoid the financial turbulence that has grounded many rivals. Plett Air Safaris is targeting wealthy foreigners who want to arrive at their safari lodges in style rather than drive through the Karoo to reach them. Captain Tertius Myburgh launched Plett Air Safaris a year ago and has three pilots working with him. The company is draining his bank account, but he says he has done the sums and believes it is a viable business. "I’m burning cash like you can’t believe. I know this is a three-year stint that I’m sitting with and I’m happy with that," Myburgh says. The airline has brought fresh business to Plettenberg airport with daily flights to Graaff-Reinet and to landing strips in the Kwandwe and Shamwari private game reserves in the Eastern Cape. It also flies from Graaff-Reinet to those game reserves three times a week.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.