NEWS
Issued on behalf of Sheltam Aviation
by Mileman Media
Contact: Colin Mileman
Mileman Media
082-897-6145
colin@milemanmedia.co.za
Peter Woods
Manager – Sheltam Aviation
041-581-4194
pe@sheltamaviation.com
PE-BASED SHELTAM AVIATION LAUNCHES
NEW AIR CHARTER WEBSITE WITH
SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE WILD COAST
Port Elizabeth – 2 October 2009 – Sheltam Aviation, one of the country's leading air charter
providers with offices in Port Elizabeth and Durban, has launched a dynamic new website, with a
special focus on promoting tourism in the remote yet spectacular Wild Coast.
The new online presence, www.sheltamaviation.com, gives the company new impetus in the
field of aircraft charter, catering for the needs of both business and leisure travellers.
As the aviation division of the multi-faceted Sheltam Group, Sheltam Aviation has developed an
enviable reputation for quality service, reliability and flexibility since its inception in 2002 – and
the new website reinforces these attributes while highlighting the benefits of air charter. It also
entrenches the company's specialised aircraft maintenance, advanced pilot training, contracts
and associated services.
The new website, which was jointly developed by Port Elizabeth companies Urban Lava
Advertising and Mileman Media, expresses Sheltam Aviation's unwavering commitment to
quality and service, while highlighting the speed, flexibility and convenience of charter travel.
"Sheltam Aviation upholds all the traditions of an exclusive air charter service," explains Peter
Woods, manager of Sheltam Aviation. "We cater for all types of clients and requirements. From
scenic flights along the coast to longer charters into Africa or handling specialised cargo, we're
able to fulfil any customer needs.
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"Considering how valuable time is for business and holiday travellers alike, air charter offers the
most practical means of medium to long-distance transport available today," Woods states.
Despite perceptions, air charter represents great value too. Woods highlights the fact that
Sheltam Aviation can fly four people from Port Elizabeth to East London more cost effectively
than any of the national carriers – while having the added convenience of flexible departure
times, personalised service, individual security and ultimate convenience.
Furthermore, by being able to fly to and from any suitable landing strip in Southern Africa,
Sheltam Aviation can get you to the closest point to your destination without the hassle of
scheduled flights and commercial airports.
This is invaluable for business travellers for whom time is their most valuable asset. Meetings
can comfortably continue in the air, and by having the expediency of flying to appointments and
back the same day, unnecessary overnight stays are eliminated – thereby maximising
productivity, while saving time and money.
The same applies to leisure travellers, who are able to get the full benefit of their holidays,
instead of spending long hours on the road. Specifically, it opens up great options to leisure
seekers, as suddenly a weekend breakaway to a distant or remote location such as the Wild
Coast or a game park becomes tantalisingly viable.
Sheltam Aviation boasts a large fleet of aircraft, ranging from its flagship Super King Air B200 to
the four-seater Cessna 182, providing seating capacity for up to 10 people. The company also
has access to larger aircraft and helicopters when required.
Wild Coast fly-in – spectacular and easy access
to one of the world's top destinations!
"Our focus on the Wild Coast as part of the new Sheltam Aviation website is driven by various
factors," Woods says. "The most obvious is the poor road network and vast distances involved in
driving to this region's spectacular locations, which have been identified as one of the top tourist
destinations in the world!"
Indeed, the Wild Coast is renowned for its abundance of recreation and adventure options,
including scuba diving, hiking, fishing, canoeing, dolphin and whale watching, the annual
Sardine Run and cultural experiences being some of its many attractions.
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However, what turns many people away is the arduous drive on less than perfect roads. For
example, driving from Port Elizabeth to Port St Johns requires a lengthy and often dangerous 7
hours, while the route from Durban takes over 4 hours. Additionally, some of the Wild Coast
lodges are only accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Travelling time is reduced to 1 ½ hours by air from PE and under 50 minutes from Sheltam
Aviation's Durban division, located at Virginia Airport. But it's not just the time-saving aspect that
stands out.
"We provide a scenic low-level flight along the coast, revealing the beauty of this unspoilt region,
and making this a special and memorable part of your holiday. Matched to the unbeatable
convenience of landing at your lodge of choice, this ensures that you get the very best out of
your Wild Coast holiday," Woods states.
Additionally, Sheltam Aviation is equipped to accommodate unique flight arrangements, such as
collections or drop-offs at any other airports, or travel itineraries that involve visits to several of
the lodges along the Wild Coast – or any other region.
The company also has a strong association with all of the top private game parks in the Eastern
Cape, and across the country, including the likes of Samara, Sibuya, Pezula, Pumba, Kwandwe
and Shamwari, and regularly flies guests directly in to the lodges via their private landing strips.
"While this flexibility will undoubtedly prove attractive in the context of the tourism boom
surrounding the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa, it also ensures that local travellers are
able to access many of the country's idyllic holiday spots virtually on their doorstep with greater
ease.
"We see this as an important step in extending the attractions of the Garden Route beyond Port
Elizabeth and right through to KwaZulu-Natal, maximising the travel potential of this
underdeveloped yet spectacular region," Woods concludes.
For more information, visit www.sheltamaviation.com.
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SHELTAM AVIATION AIR CHARTERS
IDEAL FOR FILLING THE GAPS LEFT
BY ROUTE CANCELLATIONS
Port Elizabeth – 13 January 2010 – The widespread route cancellations announced by regional
airline SA Airlink highlights the fact that air charter is now more viable than ever for fast,
convenient and flexible air travel.
This is particularly relevant considering that people travelling regularly between Port Elizabeth
and East London have been left in the lurch, with few alternatives – endure the three-and-a-half
hour drive, or charter an aircraft and you can get there in as little as 45 minutes.
"Chartering an aircraft is typically the most effective means of travel for business people, as well
as those flying to leisure, holiday and adventure destinations," explains Peter Woods, manager
of Port Elizabeth-based Sheltam Aviation.
Air charter avoids the hassle and inconvenience of scheduled flights by eliminating the hustle of
busy airports, doing away with rigid check-in times and the risk of damaged or lost luggage.
More importantly, it allows the ultimate level of convenience and flexibility. A chartered flight
departs at the client's preferred time, and is able to fly to any airport or landing strip across the
country, thereby taking you closer to your destination and accessing remote areas such as the
Wild Coast and game lodges with ease.
Similarly, the return flight takes off when you're ready, ensuring that you get the very best out of
your working day, maximising time and productivity.
"Chartering a same-day return flight from Port Elizabeth to East London is ideal for business
travellers, as they can conduct a full-day's business without spending long hours on the road, or
having to stay overnight," Woods points out.
Contrary to perceptions, air charter isn't expensive, as four people can charter a Sheltam
Aviation aircraft for the crucial Port Elizabeth to East London leg, and return the same day, for as
little as R1 800 per person.
Attractive rates are available for all of the destinations not serviced, or flown regularly, by a
scheduled airline. Popular destinations include George, Plettenberg Bay, Bloemfontein, Umtata,
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Bisho and Port St Johns – and Sheltam Aviation can fly to any destination across Southern
Africa according to the client's requirements.
Sheltam Aviation is based at the Port Elizabeth Airport, with an additional branch at Virginia
Airport in Durban.
For more information, visit www.sheltamaviation.com or phone 041-581-4194.
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