Business travellers looking to save time and fly from Port Elizabeth to East London can look forward to a new service operated by new entrants into the market, Blu Crane Air.
The airline launched flights on February 23, commencing operations soon after. 
The initiative is the brainchild of local doctor, Marcus van Heerden. He said the airline would be a simple and more cost-effective way for companies to send representatives between cities.
It will fly daily on weekdays from Port Elizabeth International to East London Airport in the morning, returning in the evening after close of business.  
The route will be operated by a six-seater twin-engine aircraft. Customers will be checked into the flight on arrival at the Blu Crane offices in Walmer, Port Elizabeth, where they will be welcomed with coffee and a muffin before being chauffeured to the airport in an air-conditioned vehicle and driven right to the door of the aircraft, said Marcus. From there clients will board the plane with their hand luggage, avoiding queues at the airport.
There are plans to expand the service to twice a day and to expand further in due course.
  Pricing will start at R2 625, return the same day. If the ticket is broken and passenger needs to return on a different day, pricing is R1 840 one way.
Bookings can be made online at www.blucraneair.com.