Page 80 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

REPATRIATION MISSION

- A SUCCESS

By Hilka Birns

A massive repatriation mission involving more than 7000
foreign nationals, stranded in the Western Cape during South
Africa’s lockdown, was mounted from Cape Town International
Airport in April.
According to the Western Cape government, countries
involved included Germany (4400 people), the UK (1354 people),
Netherland and France via Reunion (605 people), Belgium (213
people), Switzerland (287 people), USA (347 people), Canada
(153 people) and Brazil (150 people). The Provincial Disaster
Management Centre coordinated the repatriation effort, which
involved various embassies, consulates and airlines; national,
provincial and local government; Wesgro; Port Health Services;
the SA Police Service; the Airports Company SA and Cape Town
Stadium.
South African Airways alone successfully repatriated 5600
German and European Union nationals on behalf of the German
government, as part of Germany’s worldwide repatriation of about
240 000 Germans. SAA conducted 19 repatriation flights from
Johannesburg and Cape Town to Frankfurt and Munich between
April 3 and April 23. The majority of 4000 Germans and 400 EU
citizens left on 14 flights from Cape Town International Airport,
confirmed German Embassy spokesperson, Kerstin Bittiger.
Returning flights brought back South Africans who had been
stranded in Germany. “I would like to thank all our South African
partners without whom this huge repatriation effort would not
have been possible,” said German Ambassador, Dr Martin Schäfer.

The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and
Tourism and Wesgro ensured that each visitor was given a farewell
note wishing them a safe trip home. “It was important that they
had a good experience despite the lockdown, so that when we are
ready to open our borders again they will consider coming back,”
commented Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities
Minister, David Maynier.
Passengers on social media forums widely praised the historic
operation for its efficiency and professionalism. German tourist,
Dorothee Kreuser, complimented in particular the German
ambassador for his regular letters to compatriots during the
waiting period in lockdown. “They always had a calming effect on
me!” she said.

HER STORY - GERMAN TOURIST DOROTHEE KREUSER
Kreuser was due to return to Munich with Lufthansa on March 29
after visiting friends in Cape Town, but the flight was cancelled
on March 25 shortly before South Africa went into lockdown.
Stranded with her hosts during anxious three weeks, Kreuser
eventually flew home on one of the last repatriation flights.
She has shared her experience with World Airnews, documenting
her trip from the central pick-up point for all passnegers at Cape
Town Stadium all the way to her arrival in Frankfurt.
Like all passengers, Kreuser had been issued with a certificate
signed by the German ambassador that allowed her hosts to
transport her to the stadium.

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
— 30 —