PHOTO: The remodeling of Skukuza airport makes Kruger National Park accessible to larger, scheduled flights from Johannesburg. (Photo by David Cogswell)
The Skukuza Airport at Kruger National Park has completed its construction and preparations for the landing of larger aircraft, including the Embraer ERJ-135 and the Avro RJ85 aircraft, which allow the airport to handle higher capacity scheduled flights.
Airlink, a South African airline and a partner with South African Airways that extends SAA's intra-Africa network, managed the airport upgrade and has taken over the management of Skukuza.
The construction was completed on time. Though flooding in the area had thrown off the schedule, management hired extra workers and extended working hours to complete the project within the allotted time.
The remodeled airport is able to significantly increase the amount of air traffic to Kruger and the surrounding area. The ERJ-135s have a seating capacity of 37. The RJ85s have a seating capacity of 83. The airport previously could only accommodate smaller propeller aircraft with capacities up to about 20 passengers.
The completion of the construction means that passengers will be able to fly right into the heart of Kruger National Park rather than having to land at Nelspruit airport and take a two-hour drive into the park. The Skukuza area is the part of Kruger with probably the highest concentration of safari camps. It is also within a few minutes' drive from the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.
The remodeled airport is about five times the size it was before the additions.
Airlink now operates a morning flight from Johannesburg to Skukuza at 10 a.m., timed for connection with international flights and other regional flights arriving at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo airport. The return Skukuza-Johannesburg flight departs Skukuza at 1:20 p.m.
Airlink's Cape Town-Skukuza flight departs at 10:35 a.m. and arrives at Skukuza at 1:05 plm. The return flight to Cape Town departs Skukuza at 11:20 a.m.
A second daily afternoon flight from Johannesburg to Skukuza will begin operating Aug. 1, departing O.R. Tambo at 1:20 p.m. and returning from Skukuza at 2:50 p.m.
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