GEORGE NEWS - Passengers at George Airport wanting a quick cup of coffee before their flight were surprised by a sign on the door of the Ekaya Food Court that read 'these facilities are temporarily closed'.

An employee at one of the independent service providers told the George Herald that he saw the sign on Wednesday morning 24 September. "They must have put up the sign the previous evening as there was no sign of life in the restaurant this morning."

Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, a spokesperson for Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) in Johannesburg, issued a statement dated Tuesday 23 September saying, "Acsa has confirmed that the Compass Group South Africa has given notice of its restaurant closure at Bram Fischer International (Bloemfontein) and George Airport. Acsa, which operates nine principal airports in the country, has advised airport users to utilise any alternative shops at the two airports while the company secures new operators."

Prior to the closure, the staff confided in fellow employees in other businesses at the airport saying that they were expecting problems and that in all likelihood they were going to lose their jobs. On Tuesday morning Angelique Power, the regional manager of the Compass Group, based in Port Elizabeth, admitted that there were problems but expected the Compass head office in Johannesburg to resolve the stand-off by the end of the trading day.

Ulla Taute, from George, said that when she visited the restaurant three weeks ago she realised that something was wrong. "There was hardly any stock on display; the fridges were empty with only a few bottles of wine and beer available. It looked terrible."

Brenda Vorster, airport manager at Acsa, said, "This is a head office matter and all queries are referred to head office."

On Sunday afternoon passengers were milling around the small Café Dulce restaurant on the ground floor, which only has a few tables to accommodate clientele. A frequent traveller to George who was leaving on a flight to Johannesburg, summed up the situation saying, "I wonder how long it will take to sort out this mess. I hope soon, as the upstairs restaurant buzzes in season."

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George Airport. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz

ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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