Dear Minister Patel,

I trust you are well during these testing times?

If I may, I would kindly like to ask for guidance and advice:

My employment as Airline Captain was terminated on 31 March - the company has subsequently applied for business rescue.

However, I am fortunate to start employment in Japan as Airline Captain on 1 June - my family and I have received Certificates of Eligibility from the Japanese Government and Visas are to be issued shortly.

According to the current regulations and travel bans, my family and I are however unable to book a flight in order to leave SA.

There are however flights leaving SA with foreign nationals being expatriated.

Is there any way that my family and I can arrange to be on one of these flights in order to allow us to arrive in Japan before the end of May?

Missing my start date of 1 June in Japan will be extremely detrimental to my family and my career and would leave me unemployed in SA.

Your kind consideration, guidance and advice will be truly appreciated.

Awaiting your response.

Yours Sincerely,

Captain WG Swan