FYI, we received the following information from Airlink:


The Firearms Control Act is being enforced vigorously in S.A. In terms of this Act there are very strict regulations in respect of the handling of firearms. Any agency that transports firearms needs to be in possession of a Firearm Transporters License, and any person that handles a firearm needs to be in possession of a police competency certificate.

Airlink has a transporters License, but is not able to obtain the services of security agencies who have qualified, competent persons, for all our stations. (The process for certification is a very cumbersome and time consuming one). We have thus decided to cease the transportation of firearms.. We have already ceased carrying firearms to stations that cannot comply with the law. The stations that can no longer accept any firearms on incoming or outgoing flights at present are:

AAM; BFN; GRG; KIM; MBD: PZB; UTT

We intend phasing out the carriage of firearms to all destinations by the end of October. This shall be made known to all carriers, agents etc. in the next few weeks.

We shall, as an accommodation to hunters, and with prior arrangement, transport hunting rifles (only), between the following destinations during the S.A. Hunting season. This will also be communicated to all concerned.

ACSA Airports: Other Airports:

JNB MQP

CPT PHW

DBN PTG

PLZ KIM

Please note that these rules apply to S.A. only. Firearms that are in transit between countries, and do not enter S.A. are not effected. For instance, a firearm that is transported on SAA from a city in the USA to Bulawayo, via JNB – with Airlink as the carrier from JNB to BUQ, is not affected at all, as long as the firearm remains in transit, airside, and necessary arrangements are made by SAA to have the weapon transported from the SAA Aircraft to the Airlink Aircraft, and all the notifications and documentation are completed.


I believe that GRG should be GRJ

Who or what is Airlink? are they a sub-contractor to the airlines, or, is it a service a traveller can hire independently?

Aren't they SAA's regional carrier. Seems like I went to Bulawayo that way last time in Africa.

They used to be the sister carrier to SAA they separated from SAA and now they are their own airline -

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
FYI, we received the following information from Airlink:


The Firearms Control Act is being enforced vigorously in S.A. In terms of this Act there are very strict regulations in respect of the handling of firearms. Any agency that transports firearms needs to be in possession of a Firearm Transporters License, and any person that handles a firearm needs to be in possession of a police competency certificate.

Airlink has a transporters License, but is not able to obtain the services of security agencies who have qualified, competent persons, for all our stations. (The process for certification is a very cumbersome and time consuming one). We have thus decided to cease the transportation of firearms.. We have already ceased carrying firearms to stations that cannot comply with the law. The stations that can no longer accept any firearms on incoming or outgoing flights at present are:

AAM; BFN; GRG; KIM; MBD: PZB; UTT

We intend phasing out the carriage of firearms to all destinations by the end of October. This shall be made known to all carriers, agents etc. in the next few weeks.

We shall, as an accommodation to hunters, and with prior arrangement, transport hunting rifles (only), between the following destinations during the S.A. Hunting season. This will also be communicated to all concerned.

ACSA Airports: Other Airports:

JNB MQP

CPT PHW

DBN PTG

PLZ KIM




I believe that GRG should be GRJ

Where it says.. as an accomodation to hunters......

Does that mean they WILL still carry from JNB to PTG and to KIM etc? And, PTG or KIM to JNB ?

Or from George to JNB? If not, they have messed me up on next years hunt.

If not, those outfitters are really screwed that must use Polokawane and Kimberly

Hunters 'important' to airline
25/09/2007 14:10 - (SA)

Johannesburg - Domestic airliner Airlink will stop the transportation of firearms on its aircraft from the beginning of November.

Aviation security manager Mac Makkink said on Tuesday this was due to legislation to control ownership, handling, use and the transportation of firearms.

"In terms of the Firearms Control Act, persons other than the licensed owner of a firearm must undergo statutory training and certification before they may handle and transport firearms.

"Airlink does not currently have personnel who may legally handle firearms at all their stations," Makkink said.

In the past, Airlink was able to transport various types of handguns, shotguns and rifles to their respective destinations.

Airlink was also able to transport firearms brought from international destinations to destinations in South Africa, which were then re-booked for transportation to the original or other international destinations.

"Regrettably, Airlink has decided it is not viable to continue with the full-scale transportation of firearms to and from our destinations."

Makkink said hunting rifles, however, would still be transported.

"We recognise that the hunting industry, a valuable tourist attraction and economic factor, is an important user of our airline. We will therefore attempt to accommodate hunters by transporting their rifles to destinations where they can be legally handled."

From November 1, only hunting rifles will be transported to and from OR Tambo International, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Kimberly, Polokwane, Phalaborwa, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and Nelspruit.

"In the interim, Airlink will continue to transport handguns, shotguns and rifles to all destinations, except to Mafikeng, Mthatha, Phalaborwa and Pietermaritzburg where they no longer have the legal ability to," Makkink said.

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