Aviation companies turn to courts over Virginia Airport eviction
Some general aviation companies based at Virginia Airport,
north of Durban, are planning a legal fightback after they were handed eviction
notices by eThekwini Municipality.
CEO of Aero Natal Hennie Bezuidenhout says last week they received letters asking them to vacate the airport by end of February.
He says this is an impossible task.
"We had a meeting last week with all operators, we're getting legal counsel to fight this as much as possible.
"We can't go, the total workforce on the airfield should be 120. Students flying over, 200 and the helicopter industry they serve all your pilots on the boats."
"Where will that all come from? Your Netcare and 911 are operating over here. In the oil and gas industry, every day the pipeline must fly over and back to see if there are any leaks in detection, where they operate from. Our ministers currently, when they land they land in Virginia."
READ: Rats and flies has some Durban communities on edge
The municipality, which wants to convert the airfield into a mixed-use property space, insists the termination of the tenants' airport leases are valid.
But it says it's open to negotiations on short-term lease agreements.
Daryl Mann is a long-term tenant who's worked in Virginia for over 40 years. He says they won't move unless they have somewhere to go too.
"What none of them understands is the legal implications that they are putting themselves into. Because they are bound by the legislation of South Africa that says every single city in SA will supply and accommodate a facility for general aviation for that city.
"So moving Virginia Airport to Scottburgh or Richards Bay is not in the constitution because how is that going to benefit the City of Durban. Never mind the leases.
"We are saying don't worry about what you are going to do about this property. Until such time, as you find a suitable relocation spot."
