What are the Alternatives Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth with weapons?

[Ridge Runner]

With SAA no longer flying the Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth route what are the alternative airline(s) for hunters traveling with weapons?

Mango airlines is "SUPPOSE TO BE" allowed to transport weapons, BUT, either their website has not be updated or it's business as usual and they still don't allow the transport of weapons and ammunition.

As soon as I hear back from my travel agent I'll post her response. But in the mean time, has/can anyone here on AH provide a first hand travel experience carrying/transporting their weapons from JNB to PLZ, in light of SAA restructuring and cancellations of routes and flights.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Airlink flies with Firearms from JHB to PE. They will also take over the flights that SAA no longer does.

Dont worry about it too much just yet. I'm sure it will be settled within the next two weeks, whether being another airline taking over firearm responsibilities, or else.

 

[rookhawk]

An important thing to remember is the airline treaty. They use a term in airline treaty that is called "most significant carrier". *Usually* that means if I fly 90% of my flight on say Emirates, and they allow guns, and they don't charge extra for the guns, if I connect for the last/final leg with a small carrier like SAA Airline and its issued ON THE SAME TICKET the treaty demands that the less significant carrier must adhere to the rules. They can't make you pay $1000 extra to load the guns, or a third bag, etc. etc.

I've fought with the Africans on this point when they tried to charge me for my guns to return home, even though they weren't the most significant carrier. I imagine a small-potatoes airline will debate this with you trying to extract your money or reject your bags, but its likely against the law and IATA treaty standards.

This is why we are forced to pay more and use a travel agency, as they have the means to book multiple carriers on the same ticket. If you try to book your carriers yourself, they are on separate tickets and you're SOL because the treaty doesn't cover this scenario.

 

[Philip Glass]

An important thing to remember is the airline treaty. They use a term in airline treaty that is called "most significant carrier". *Usually* that means if I fly 90% of my flight on say Emirates, and they allow guns, and they don't charge extra for the guns, if I connect for the last/final leg with a small carrier like SAA Airline and its issued ON THE SAME TICKET the treaty demands that the less significant carrier must adhere to the rules. They can't make you pay $1000 extra to load the guns, or a third bag, etc. etc.

I've fought with the Africans on this point when they tried to charge me for my guns to return home, even though they weren't the most significant carrier. I imagine a small-potatoes airline will debate this with you trying to extract your money or reject your bags, but its likely against the law and IATA treaty standards.

This is why we are forced to pay more and use a travel agency, as they have the means to book multiple carriers on the same ticket. If you try to book your carriers yourself, they are on separate tickets and you're SOL because the treaty doesn't cover this scenario.

Very good point about the travel agent being able to put it on one ticket versus doing it yourself.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’d love to hear from @Travel Express on this. I am sure there is an answer.

 

[wesheltonj]

The answer is Airlink and get rebooked on them.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My 2¢, Every in country flight I've been on, most passengers were flying on business and were almost full. I'm with the above post from KMG Safaris. This will be all sorted out in short order.

 

[jduckhunter]

Airlink flies with Firearms from JHB to PE. They will also take over the flights that SAA no longer does.

Dont worry about it too much just yet. I'm sure it will be settled within the next two weeks, whether being another airline taking over firearm responsibilities, or else.

Hope so April is coming fast!

 

[Ridge Runner]

My travel agent contacted me this morning, accordingly,....the SAA situation wont be clear until sometime around the end of February or early March.....it will be a wait and see on refunds, rebookings, and (costs) adjustments (if any).....

For those traveling during this Coronavirus situation....accordingly..... travelers are getting temperature checks.....anyone with a high temp or "flu like" symptoms will not be allowed to board flights.....

 

[Graham Hunter]

Not as fast as March.

Hope so April is coming fast!

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

I’d love to hear from @Travel Express on this. I am sure there is an answer.

Hi Philip, changes started hitting our reservation system yesterday but I’m hoping there will be more flights added to the schedules/routes to Pt Elizabeth and E London. Right now Airlink is the only airline that transports rifles and those flights are very limited. We were told that Mango is trying to get approval to transport rifles as they apparently had temporary approval late in 2019 when SAA had a strike. I think it’s going to take a little more time to see what all shakes out.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi Philip, changes started hitting our reservation system yesterday but I’m hoping there will be more flights added to the schedules/routes to Pt Elizabeth and E London. Right now Airlink is the only airline that transports rifles and those flights are very limited. We were told that Mango is trying to get approval to transport rifles as they apparently had temporary approval late in 2019 when SAA had a strike. I think it’s going to take a little more time to see what all shakes out.

Ok please keep us updated.

 

[Ed Lally]

I guess that there is no news except the old news. SAA still indeterminate and AirLink flying some routes but not others.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I guess that there is no news except the old news. SAA still indeterminate and AirLink flying some routes but not others.

Recent word I received was no airlines carrying guns to Port Elizabeth.

 

[Ed Lally]

Check AirLink website. Additionally, I emailed AirLink re: flights JNB to PLZ for May 2021 and received a personalized (not generic) reply stating that I COULD fly with firearms in checked baggage (total allowance 20kg for all baggage, but additional 50# bags are about $50 per) as long as I informed reservations office al least 3 days prior. AirLink Web site states same.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Recent word I received was no airlines carrying guns to Port Elizabeth.

This is incorrect. Airlink flies to Port Elizabeth, as well as East London.