Update

GEORGE NEWS - The long-awaited Garden Route Air Show was never geared for take-off as the organisers neglected to get crucial certificates, paperwork and approvals in place. 

However, this did not prevent the organisers from taking bookings and money from vendors and other participants before getting the green light to host the show.

This is clear from reasons given by Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and George Municipality as to why it was impossible to grant approval for the show that was scheduled to take place this weekend, 20 August, at the George Airport.

Announcing last Thursday that not only has the show been postponed, but cancelled in its totality, organiser Brett Scheuble cited safety reasons. "The organisers had everything in place, but local organisations and authorities could not provide guarantees for safety," he said.

However, Scheuble's explanation doesn't hold much water, if any.

The show was originally planned for 26 April 2020, but at the time postponed due to Covid restrictions. With Covid restrictions lifted, they intended holding it this year on 16 July, but it was again postponed to 20 August.

Acsa responds

George Airport manager Brenda Vorster confirmed on Wednesday that an application for an air show at the airport was received and that Acsa provided a letter of support to the organisation with certain regulatory conditions. 

"These conditions included safety protocols that needed to be guaranteed and observed for the show to go ahead. I can confirm that an application for an air show was received which required that the organiser provide regulatory compliance as stipulated in the guidelines for safe air shows. 

"Until now (17 August 2022) the organisers have failed to meet the regulatory requirements. George Airport will always maintain safety as our highest priority." 

Vorster said the same goes for Acsa as a whole. The South African Special Air Events Handbook, compiled by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, is available at www.saairshow.org.za.

Municipality reacts

Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards told George Herald that all events exceeding 50 persons require an application for a population certificate as prescribed in Schedule 2 of the by-law for community fire safety.

"If the necessary criteria are met, the municipality will issue the final approval for an event in the form of this population certificate. The municipality is bound to enforce the safety at sports [according to] the Recreational Events Act, Act 2 of 2000 (SASREA) as well as the requirements for SANS 10366: Health and safety at events," she said.

"The municipality's approval is also subject to police approval (George Airport is a National Key Point), as well as that of the landowner before being able to rightfully issue a population certificate. Approval was not received from the police or Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), so the municipality was not able to issue a population certificate."

Scheuble promises refunds

Earlier Scheuble wrote on Facebook: "Please believe that this is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but believe that the public of the Garden Route deserve to have an air show, and we are looking into other options with the intent of having an air show in the future." 

He said they are looking for a different location. "We will never do an air show again in George," Scheuble said.

On Tuesday 16 August, Scheuble said ticket holders who contact iTickets will be refunded.

When questioned about refunding vendors, he said he has spoken to the majority and a claim has been submitted, as an insurance policy had been taken out for a situation like this.

According to Scheuble they have submitted a few applications for holding an air show elsewhere and an announcement will be made later.

Police has 'no jurisdiction'

Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie told George Herald the police has no jurisdiction to approve or grant permission, or not, for the hosting of an air show. 

"However, the only role we play in such an event is to do a risk and safety assessment and the processing of an application for a provisional liquor licence by the host. We therefore may submit recommendations in this regard, but do not have authority to approve or not to approve." 

He did not say whether the police carried out a risk and safety assessment.

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