THE NEW gun laws have
caused a major re-think at
airline SA Airlink on carrying
guns on flights around SA.
“Due to our firearm
control legislation,” said
aviation security manager,
Mac Makkink, “and with
effect from November
1, Airlink will no longer
transport firearms, other
than hunting rifles.”
Part of the Firearms
Control Act, the legislation
enforces very stringent
measures to control
ownership, handling, use
and transportation of
firearms.
This means that anyone
other than the licensed
owner of a firearm must
undergo statutory training
and certification before
they can handle and
transport firearms.
“We don’t have
personnel who can legally
handle firearms at all our
stations,” Makkink added.
“And, because we have
not been able to obtain the
services of certified security
companies to carry out this
function, Airlink has been
forced to re-evaluate its
policy regarding firearm
transportation.
“Regrettably, we have
decided that it is not viable
to continue with the fullscale
transportation of
firearms to and from all our
domestic destinations.”
However, Airlink
recognised that the hunting
industry was a valuable
tourist attraction and
economic factor, and an
important user of the
airline.
“We will therefore
attempt to accommodate
hunters by transporting
their rifles to destinations
where they can be legally
handled,” said Makkink.
So, from November 1,
hunting rifles only will be
transported to and from
the following destinations:
OR Tambo International,
Johannesburg; Cape Town;
Durban; Port Elizabeth;
Kimberley; Polokwane;
Phalaborwa; and the Kruger
Mpumalanga International
Airport, Nelspruit.
New gun laws force re-think for Airlink
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