Virginia operators fear business will crash

Durban - In their formal objections, general aviation operators based at Virginia Airport say it would make no “business sense” to move their operation to Scottburgh.

The operators, staff and residents in the area have lodged objections with the eThekwini Municipality in response to the municipality’s call for public comment on an unsolicited bid by SeaWorld Investment Holdings to develop the proposal in a R6 billion project.

The plan would see upmarket residential accommodation, a hotel and leisure amenities built on the site and the airport moved to Scottburgh. Operators are opposed to the plan and said the city had reneged on an agreement to grant them 10-year leases in 2011.

But the city has said the council resolution was to “consider the extension of the lease by a period not exceeding 10 years” which was not a commitment to extend.

It said the operators would be offered new three-year leases or until the completion date of the relocation programme, whichever came first, if the development got the go-ahead.

One of the biggest operators, who did not want their company named, said general aviation companies based at Virginia would not be able to operate at Scottburgh.

“There would be insufficient clients to charter, less aircraft to refuel and maintain and very little need for hangars. It is not feasible to move Virginia Airport away from where the businessmen, tourists or visitors want to be.”

The company said business aircraft brought the largest revenue to Virginia, by using the airport for trips for their directors.

“To expect any company to relocate knowing it will have higher expenses, less income and definitely fail is unrealistic.”

The company said flight schools would find it difficult to get students if they were moved.

Daryl Mann, an airport operator who has been speaking on behalf of the group, said about 700 objections had been lodged by people at Virginia Airport.

The main objection was that the move to Scottburgh was “not a feasible option” for the operators as their businesses would not survive.

In his submission, DA ward councillor Shaun Ryley said the party was not opposed in principle to the redevelopment of the site.

He said the party believed there should be a secondary airport within the municipality and Virginia’s activities provided huge economic benefits to the city.

“It provides critical air cargo movements within the municipality as well as much- needed air support to tourism movement.”

The period for submissions on the proposal closed on Saturday. The city has said it would consider the submissions and then make a decision whether or not to accept the proposal.

THE MERCURY