CemAir
Airline in South Africa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CemAir is a South African airline headquartered in Johannesburg. Founded in 2005, the airline operates scheduled domestic flights across South Africa as well as regional services within Africa.[5]
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| Founded | 2005 | ||||||
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| Hubs | O. R. Tambo International Airport | ||||||
| Focus cities | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | SkyRewards[1] | ||||||
| Fleet size | 30+ (2026)[2] | ||||||
| Destinations | 15, across South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe (2026)[3] | ||||||
| Headquarters | Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa | ||||||
| Key people | Miles van der Molen (CEO)[4] | ||||||
| Website | cemair | ||||||
CemAir’s network includes key business and leisure destinations, and the airline is known for serving several smaller or underserved airports. As of January 2026, CemAir flies to 15 destinations, including 11 in South Africa, 2 in Botswana, and 2 in Zimbabwe.[3]
In addition to its scheduled operations, CemAir provides aircraft leasing, charter services, and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) solutions to other carriers.
The airline operates a fleet of over 30 aircraft that includes Bombardier CRJ, Beechcraft 1900, and De Havilland Dash 8 models, offering full-service amenities such as checked baggage and onboard catering. Over the years, CemAir has expanded its route network and service offering, positioning itself as a growing independent carrier in the Southern African aviation market.
History
The company was formed in 2005 with the purpose of operating turboprop commuter aircraft, with the initial fleet consisting of 1 Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft and 3 Beechcraft 1900C aircraft.[citation needed]
In January 2018, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) withdrew the Certificate of Airworthiness for 12 of CemAir's aircraft, due to allegedly unqualified personnel certifying the aircraft as airworthy. It was subsequently forced by the authorities to suspend operations in late 2018.[6]
The airline successfully launched a High Court challenge, and the grounding was overturned. The CAA then again grounded the Airline in January 2019 and CemAir challenged the decision before the Civil Aviation Appeal Committee. On 29 April 2019, the CAAC issued a judgement in favour of the airline, calling the CAA's actions "irrational, arbitrary, unreasonable and procedurally unfair" and "factually wrong."[7][6][8][9]
In January 2021, CemAir signed an interline agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.[10]
Operations
CemAir's hub in Johannesburg features a 1,800 sqm hangar, offices, and a 2,000 sqm private apron, for managing flight operations, maintenance (performed in-house), and administration.[2]
Destinations
Charter operations
Based at OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa, a large portion of the fleet is deployed outside of South Africa. The main foreign deployments are to the Caribbean and West Africa.[citation needed]
Scheduled destinations
Most (11) of CemAir's 15 destinations are in South Africa, with 4 of them located elsewhere in Southern Africa. As of January 2026, CemAir operates flights to the following destinations:[3]
Domestic (South Africa)
- Bloemfontein - Bram Fischer International Airport
- Cape Town - Cape Town International Airport
- Durban - King Shaka International Airport
- East London - King Phalo Airport
- George - George Airport
- Hoedspruit - Eastgate Airport
- Johannesburg - O. R. Tambo International Airport (Hub)
- Kimberley - Kimberley Airport
- Mala Mala Game Reserve - Mala Mala Airport
- Margate - Margate Airport
- Port Elizabeth - Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
International
- Harare, Zimbabwe - Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport
- Kasane, Botswana - Kasane Airport
- Maun, Botswana - Maun Airport
- Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls Airport
Fleet
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As of August 2025[update], CemAir operates the following aircraft:[11]
| Aircraft | In Fleet | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft 1900D | 5 | — | 19 | |
| Bombardier CRJ100/CRJ200 | 9 | — | 50 | |
| Bombardier CRJ700 | 3 | — | 70 | |
| Bombardier CRJ900 | 9 | — | 90 | |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 | 1 | — | 37 | |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q300 | 3 | — | 50 | |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 | 4 | — | 78 | |
| Total | 34 | — | ||
Accidents and incidents
CemAir suffered two hull losses in 2008 with aircraft leased out to 3rd parties, one in South Sudan and the other in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- On 2 May 2008, a CemAir-owned Beechcraft 1900 - registered in Kenya and operated by Kenyan-based Flex Air Cargo - was flying from Wau to Juba, South Sudan when it crashed near Rumbek, killing all nineteen passengers and two crew. Among the passengers were two senior officials of the Sudan People's Liberation Army and their wives.[12]
- On 1 September 2008, an Air Serv-leased nineteen passenger Beechcraft 1900C crashed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, about 15 km northwest of Bukavu[13][14] carrying two crew and fifteen passengers.[15][16][17][18] The aircraft was wet leased at the time and flown by crew from CemAir, which was then based at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa. The flight was arriving at Bukavu following technical service at N'Dolo Airport, Kinshasa.[19] The aircraft crashed into a mountainous ridge.[20] Passengers included twelve Congolese, one French, one Indian, and one Canadian.[21] All 17 occupants were killed.[22]
