CEMAIR is starting up
operations in Canada
after being granted
its first Certificate of
Airworthiness from Canadian
authorities. The airline
expects to receive an Air
Operator Certificate in the
coming months.
Ceo Miles van der Molen
told TNW that SA operations
would continue, with local call
centres remaining operational.
“The SA route network will
be increased. Announcements
on this can be expected
soon,” says Miles, adding that
the local operation will be
enhanced by having a strong
partner in a first-world country.
He says the move is
motivated by cost factors,
a deteriorating business
climate, elevated levels of risk
and high levels of crime and
corruption in South Africa.
“Traditionally, the largest
portion of our revenue was
derived from foreign work
[international aircraft leasing
and charter flights] and this
is what will be moved to
Canada. Over the next year
we intend to move the ACMI
(aircraft, crew, maintenance
and insurance) operations.
We may, in due course,
commence scheduled
operations in Canada but that
is a decision for another day.”
He says around 100 jobs
that support the aircraft, crew,
maintenance and insurance
business will be affected but
that many of his staff are
interested in emigrating and
have begun the process of
validating their qualifications
in Canada already.
CemAir Malta operations
are still on hold, says Miles,
adding that this project will be
revisited as support for the
Canadian ACMI business at a
future point.
