The City of Tshwane is working to resume flights between Pretoria and Cape Town, which were halted in 2018 due to profitability concerns. 

Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise disclosed the city’s plans on Friday at Wonderboom National Airport, which hosted The Children’s Flight 2025 programme.

He said the airport is among the municipal strategic assets for revitalising the local economy, with plans to put it on the market in September.

“Our primary objective is to ensure that it is fully functional,” he said. 

He said the city will revive talks on resuming flights, aiming to get the South African Civil Aviation Authority to reactivate and renew the license for Pretoria-Cape Town flights, and also introduce a new route to Durban.

The announcement follows the news in April that Messe Frankfurt South Africa would not renew its agreement with Tshwane to host AERO South Africa at Wonderboom National Airport after the 2024 edition.

The three-day event was relocated to Lanseria International Airport, where it took place last month.

Although the city acknowledged the economic benefits of AERO South Africa, it has since signed other initiatives with partners to utilise the airport.

The 10th edition of The Children’s Flight 2025 programme, which saw over 1,000 underprivileged children taking to the skies, aims to introduce young children to the aviation industry. 

The programme, supported by 150 pilots and over 100 nationwide sponsors, gave many children their first-ever helicopter experience. 

Modise said the initiative aims to expose children to various career paths in the industry, including pilots, technicians, engineers, and air controllers.

He emphasised that shaping young minds begins with exposure, allowing children to envision greater possibilities, dream bigger, think smarter, and strive for excellence. 

“Every opportunity provided to them today lays the foundation for the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of  the airport as a strategic economic engine for the city, driving tourism, trade, investment, and job creation. 

“Its growth fuels local development and positions the capital as a key player in regional and international connectivity,” he said.

Event organiser Felix Gosher said the event specifically targets underprivileged children from registered care facilities who would unlikely have the chance to fly otherwise. 

Tshwane’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Roads and Transport, Tlangi Mogale, said the initiative provides a great opportunity for children who might otherwise never experience flying, attracting local business support and bringing joy to children’s faces.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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