South African Express Airlines and SA Airlink?

09 July 2006, 19:47

I may be using SA Express Airlines to fly from Windhoek to Jo'burg and then connecting to a SA Airlink flight to Bulawayo.

How are these airlines with carriage of firearms and ammunition? Anyone had any problems?

The gap between arrival and departure is only 2 hours. Is this insufficient? Hopefully luggage can be checked through.

On that subject, per the PHASA website:

quote:
In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa)

It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airline/s involved before departure to make sure what their procedure is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.

If the airline does transfer your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through to the final destination, and you stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African customs, then you need not go through the temporary import process.

If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/guns to your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearm/s and go through the entire entry process. If this is the case, the South African limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.

This also applies if you are overnighting in South Africa before flying on to your country of destination.

If checked luggage can be checked through, is the above still correct, ie no need to acquire a temporary SA firearms licence?

Thanks.

09 July 2006, 22:58

tradewinds

I have used SA Express to fly around SA and never had any problems.

10 July 2006, 01:28

jorge

Same here. Very nice Embraer Jets and the stewardesses were more to my liking...jorge

10 July 2006, 07:14

NitroX

Gentlemen, thanks for the replies.

I remember reading a thread on a South African airline which had changed its policy to not carrying firearms at all, and was wondering if anyone can remember which one is was/is? A search failed to bring up any relevant threads (I may be mistaken).

10 July 2006, 16:56

Cunningham

I believe the airline was NATIONAL. I do not know if this correct but this seems to be what comes to mind.

10 July 2006, 17:23

NitroX

quote:
Originally posted by Cunningham:
I believe the airline was NATIONAL. I do not know if this correct but this seems to be what comes to mind.

Bob,

Thanks. That sounds familiar.

10 July 2006, 19:14

Karl S

NitroX
I phoned both SA Express and -Airlink. (Airlink unavailable), and yes, it is still allowed to check in* fire-arms on Express, and according to Express'es customer care, also on Airlink.
(By check in- I mean give it to the security company that works with it, to put on the plane with other luggage, not literally check it in as normal baggage.)

10 July 2006, 20:41

Terry Blauwkamp

quote:
Originally posted by tradewinds:
I have used SA Express to fly around SA and never had any problems.

Me too, no problems.

10 July 2006, 22:00

GMaxson

Speaking of Terry Blauwkamp, I was shooting the other night and Chris Harbison brought your name up.

11 July 2006, 21:21

NitroX

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your replies.

Karl,

Thanks for making that phone call.

Now I am flying Air Namibia as well. Bookings finally finalised.