This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
SA Air Link became the first airline to land on the new runway of the Mthatha Airport on Thursday
This historic landing marks the begining of a brighter future for the airport as it can now accomodate bigger aircraft following the completiong of the building of the new runway with the assistance of the National Department of Transport.
The new runway building formed part of the Mthatha Airport Upgrade Phase One, which is expected to be completed during the current financial year and will include a new Terminal Building.
"We appreciate the R465 million allocation for this upgrade project from the National Department of Transport, which is in line with the commitment by national government to help the us through the new ‘South Eastern Node and Corridor’ that is planned for the Eastern Cape through the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission to bolster the province’s industrial and agricultural development and export capacity. This intervention cannot be successful if we cannot have an anchor logistical hub in the centre of the corridor," said MEC Marawu.
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport is positioning Mthatha Airport through a three (3) Phase Programme to be a passenger and freight hub linking road, rail and air transportation and effectively becoming a gateway to the east of the Province.
This logistical hub will not only serve transportation and trade for the easter region of the province but on a local level becomes the next urban centre that complements the development of the first of the four nodes of the City of Mthatha.
The department will develop a comprehensive aviation strategy for the province, which will form the basis for engagement with the relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry in an effort to identify the best model for the development of Phase 2.
This upgrade project is expected to improve the airport’s capacity as the department continues to lobby and negotiate with more airlines to service the route between Mthatha and Johannesburg (as we currently have scheduled flights by Airlink on this route) as well as between Mthatha and Durban. Provincial Government intends to have a service between Cape Town and Mthatha, via Port Elizabeth and Bhisho. Flights between these strategic economic centres then become necessary to fulfill the vision of a regional airport as a gateway to the region.
"This project will enable government to unlock the economic growth potential of the region and the province as a whole as it provides access to the internationally renowned Wild Coast and other historic heritage sites," added Marawu.
