Airlink has confirmed that a section of the Skukuza Airport terminal roof was damaged in a bush fire on Sunday, October 6.

Passengers and airport personnel were safely evacuated and nobody was hurt.

Airlink also confirmed that its flights at the airport would operate on schedule.  

Airlink, SANParks, its partner service-providers and lodges in the area, have set up temporary departures and arrivals facilities and related services using back-up systems to perform the associated processes.  

“We want to minimise any disruptions at Skukuza and we apologise for any inconvenience while we rely on our contingency measures and facilities at Skukuza,” said Rodger Foster, CEO and MD of Airlink.

The airline advised travellers using shuttle transfers to and from Skukuza to check with their lodges for any changes to shuttle departure times.  

Efforts to extinguish the fire in the thatched roof caused some water damage. Clean-up and repair work are already under way.