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The extension of the Port Elizabeth runway could cost up to R500m today’s terms, Transport Minister Ben Martins has told the National Assembly.
Replying to a written question, the Minister said long-term master planning and spatial reservation” had been made for a future extension of the main runway at the Port Elizabeth airport.
Martins said that the department’s master plan made provision for an additional runway length of up to 1200 metres in a south-westerly direction.
He said the timing of the extension would be determined by the sustainable demand created by new flights requiring the additional runway length.
The timing, he added, would be determined by what was anticipated would be requested by direct, out-bound, long-haul passenger and cargo aircraft.
Martins said that no definitive costs had been calculated for the extension as there has been no commitment by stakeholders to the continuous use and/or requirement for the extended runway length.
He said, given the topographical challenges involved with the envisaged increase in the length of the runway and, depending on the final scope of works it could cost up to R500m in today’s terms.
The Port Elizabeth airport currently has international status but there are no direct overseas flights to the city.
