South Africa Airlink Update

South Africa Airlink Update

On October 4th, SCI informed members that South African Airlink would be not be able to handle firearms at some of their smaller regional airports. This only includes a handful of the airports and does not affect their handling of firearms that go to international destinations. Please be aware that this is SA Airlink and not South African Airways.

The following is the original announcement about South African Airlink: SCI has learned that SA Airlink recently limited the number of their airports that will handle firearm transportation due to new South African regulations on handling procedures effective November 1. Their policy states that SA Airlink will stop the transportation of firearms effective November. However in an official statement by aviation security manager, Mac Makkink said “We recognize 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 1st, 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. They also stated that until November 1st, they will continue to transport firearms to all their destinations excluding Mafikeng, Mthatha, Phalaborwa and Pietermaritzburg. For more information, visit Airlink - Ongoing ban of firearms.

Source: Safari Club International