Somerset East Airport serves Somerset East, ZA.
Recent traveler experiences at Somerset East Airport (FAST) indicate an overwhelmingly negative sentiment, primarily due to its non-operational status for general public use. While initially envisioned as a key development, the airfield has largely failed to attract regular commercial or private traffic and has suffered from neglect.
What Travelers Love
- Stunning Tar Runway (Historically): Older reports, primarily from 2016, praised the tar runway and lighting, along with a massive apron.
- Parking and Cargo Handling (Limited): The aerodrome is stated to offer landing, parking, and cargo handling services during limited weekday hours for specific, pre-approved users.
Common Complaints
- Currently Closed/Non-Operational: As of March 2024, the airfield is reported to be closed and has been for a few years, with instances of aircraft being "chased away" after landing.
- Under-Utilized and Neglected: Since its opening in 2016, the R53-million airfield has been described as "very under-utilised" and an "unused white elephant".
- Poor Runway Condition: Travelers reported issues such as "plenty Cow pats" on the runway, necessitating aircraft cleaning after use.
- Lack of Security and Fencing: Reports from 2019 highlighted issues with stray cattle grazing on the airfield due to fencing failures and a lack of security, leading to the closure of an air school that had established a base there.
- Limited Accessibility and Licensing: The aerodrome is registered but not licensed for general commercial flights, catering only to specific light aircraft categories and requiring prior permission for all use.
Overall, Somerset East Airport (FAST) is not a functional airport for typical commercial or private traveler use. Recent information strongly suggests it is largely closed and neglected, making it an unreliable or unusable option for air travel.
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Common questions about FAST
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Where is Somerset East Airport located?
Somerset East Airport is located in Somerset East, ZA, at an elevation of 2349 ft. Its IATA code is — and ICAO code is FAST.