Delta Flight Routes: Minister Mbalula’s snail pace forces intergovernmental dispute

Dear Editor

Nearly 10 months after first writing to the national Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, for failing to process and approve flight routes between the United States and the Western Cape, the Western Cape Government has once again launched an intergovernmental dispute. It is disappointing that while the provincial government has reached out time and again in good faith, the national government has failed to take the Western Cape into its confidence and to work together with the province to resolve the issue which could cost the province R420 million and 160 jobs.

Cooperative governance is the cornerstone of any democratic state and the snail pace to resolve red tape from the national government will compromise the economic recovery and growth of the Western Cape.

MPP Gillion Bosman says: “Direct flights between the Western Cape and the United States could see a 25% – 50% growth between the two markets while opening the door to international travellers to visit the province. I will, therefore, invite the Airports Company South Africa to brief the Standing Committee on the continued recovery of international travellers to the Western Cape and what opportunities these direct international flights hold.

Bilateral Air Service Agreements are in place for Delta Air, and other carriers who are also waiting for the national Minister to approve the triangular route, and should allow for the national Department to review and approve these routes urgently. But most concerning, there appears to be a real lack of urgency and political will for the matter to be resolved swiftly. It has now been necessary for the provincial government to step in and apply pressure to urge Minister Mbalula to do his job and to help facilitate economic recovery.

Every sphere of government has a role to play in creating the economic and social environment we need to see the continued recovery of the Western Cape. When the national government does not or cannot fulfil its mandate, it has a disruptive knock-on effect on every province and municipality which must address these short falls and divert resources and times to fill the gaps. It is time that Minister Mbalula steps up and works with the province to support jobs and tourism in the Western Cape.”

Regards

Gillion Bosman, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Finance, Economic Opportunities, and Tourism

Source