SAA cuts big blow to hunting industry

Operators fear impact of reduced firearm-carrying flights to province

The Eastern Cape hunting industry could lose millions of rands, with the possibility of job losses, should South African Airways cancel or reduce flights to the province.

With cuts to the airline’s Eastern Cape routes almost certainly on the cards, hunting organisations and operators are concerned about the impact on the international hunting tourism market as SAA is the only commercial airline which allows the transport of all types of firearms in safe storage.

They have warned that if SAA does chop its flights to the Eastern Cape, they will have to make alternative plans.

The national hunting industry brings in about R10-billion a year, of which about R1.5-billion comes from international hunters.

Talk has been rife that SAA could soon drastically reduce or scrap its Eastern Cape flights in a bid to stay afloat, with the airline confirming that network changes on domestic routes are highly likely.

East Cape Game Management Association chief executive Stappie Staphorst said any such move by SAA would have a major negative effect on international hunting tourism.

“It is a major concern for us and has been raised at recent meetings,” he said.

“We have about 1 600 members in the Eastern Cape, with some solely dependent on international hunters.

“With an international hunt comes money being spent, as well as jobs [including] lodge staff, skinners for the animals, taxidermists, kitchen staff and so on.

“In addition, there are ranches that solely breed good genetic stock for sale to other farms.”

Staphorst said breeding ranches also hired staff for maintenance and upkeep of the properties.

“So the ripple effect could easily spread to these breeders as well.

“International hunters usually tour the province and visit the metros and towns as part of their travels.

“This will all be affected and ultimately have a massive negative effect on the economy.

“With regard to South African hunters, the effect will be minimal. They often drive up from the various provinces, so the flights will not really be an issue.”

South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association president Gerhard Verdoorn – who lives in Nelson Mandela Bay – said if SAA were to cut or reduce flights, the province’s hunting tourism would be affected.

“I fly at least six times a month from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and I almost always encounter foreign hunters en route to somewhere or arriving in the Bay,” he said.

“It is not only foreign hunters who will be affected but also the odd local hunter flying to and from Port Elizabeth.

“Our own Eastern Cape mem bers of SA Hunters already have an issue taking part in competitions in the north [of the country] due to British Airways’ embargo on firearms.

“So, if SAA goes, they are snookered,” he said.

While FlySafair does allow certain firearms, Verdoorn said the airline’s flights to the Eastern Cape were few and far between.

Other airlines like SA Express and Airlink do transport shotguns and rifles, but only on certain routes.

The association’s chief executive, Fred Camphor, said it was difficult to say what the long-term repercussions would be.

“It would mostly have an effect on international trophy hunters and operators that make use of such flights,” he said.

“Local hunters are mostly consumptive hunters who would want the meat to use, and they not fly but rather drive to transport the meat.”

Camphor said that, nationally, the hunting industry contributed about R10-billion to the economy.

“Such a move [flight cuts] will certainly have a ripple effect on the industry as a whole,” he said.

“In the short term, plans will be made – such as couriers and chartered flights – to ensure there is little disruption to the industry.

“However, practically, this all pushes the cost of the hunt up, which will see hunters start looking for other alternatives.

“This could be either a cost-related issue or the hunter simply does not want all the hassle.

“Either way, there would be some form of consequence on the industry.”

Blaauwkrantz Safaris owner Arthur Rudman – who won the Southern African Wildlife Rancher of the Year and whose farm specialises in catering for international hunters – said the Eastern Cape game industry pocketed between R600-million and R700-million a year.

“I can promise you that we will not let the Eastern Cape game industry come to a standstill because of SAA,” he said.

“A plan will be made in collaboration with the hunting bodies and airlines.

“Where careers are threatened, there is a plan that can be put into play.

“The Eastern Cape is the international hunter’s preferred destination and the industry is still growing.

“We used to be the last stop for international hunters, but we have become the starting point for first-time African hunters.”

Recent research shows the average international hunter spends about R260 000 during a trip.

It also shows that Limpopo and the Eastern Cape were the preferred provinces to hunt in during the 2015-16 period.

SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said: “We cannot make premature announcements.

“There is work that still needs to be done before we make public any possible changes.”

However, Mango head of commercial Phumla Luhabe confirmed last week that Mango was aware of SAA’s plans to “curtail its capacity” in the Eastern Cape, but said it would not be withdrawing completely.