Kruger International gets first foreign flights

MPUMALANGA'S new R350m international airport will land its first foreign charters this weekend when two American passenger planes jet in. The charters, both operated by US-based Forever Resorts, will see 177 American eco-tourists and travel executives embark for safari holidays in Mpumalanga's private game parks and luxury country lodges. The charters are the first international flights into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) since it opened in October 2002. "The delays were caused by government red tape surrounding our licence. But, now that we have cabinet approval, the first direct foreign flights are landing," said airport spokesman Irvin Phenyane. "Some of the Americans are actually travel executives out here reviewing local lodges, and are expected to send more tourists to the region,"he added. The airport has to date handled only domestic flights, with 10 scheduled flights to KMIA from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. An additional 10 to 14 charter flights land per day, bringing tourists either to nearby Kruger National Park or more luxurious private game lodges. KMIA hopes to attract additional direct scheduled and charter flights from both the Far East and more traditional tourism markets such as Europe and the Americas. (Miguel de Sousa)