Acsa scraps plans to extend PE runway

Exporters hamstrung by lack of direct flights
ED RICHARDSON
REFUSAL BY the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) to extend the Port Elizabeth runway has been condemned by local business. Acsa recently halted its advertised environmental impact assessment plans for the possible runway extension at the Port Elizabeth Airport. This was despite the sale in 1996 for one rand of the land needed to extend the runway to take international traffic by the Port Elizabeth City Council. The sale was conditional on the runway being extended within a set period of time – thought to be eight years – and followed studies funded by the local freight and tourism sectors which identified the need for non-stop flights to Europe. While Acsa has spent billions on other airports around the country, it has failed to invest what was then R30-million to extend the Port Elizabeth runway – citing a lack of guaranteed freight from local business as the reason. The Exporters’ Club Eastern Cape, which represents exporting businesses in various sectors of the local economy, says there is some urgency for the Port Elizabeth runway to be extended. Speaking on the extent of this problem for local exporters, vice-chairman of the Exporters’ Club, Roel van Oudheusden, said fresh produce exporters were the most affected. “Specifically the fresh produce exporters are subjected to the bumping off (unloading due to capacity constraints) of their cargo in Johannesburg where all international flights are hubbing.” Most air freight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg in fact travels by road due to the lack of international flight capacity. This in turn has proved to be time-consuming and costly for the industry. “Had PE been a recognised international airport with a dedicated freighter flying directly to and from airports abroad, exports could increase significantly,” he added. Apart from servicing the exporter and cargo industry, the runway could also help improve tourism. “Local tourism is also wanting the extension to be able to land charter flights,” says Van Oudheusden. Should construction go ahead, the process is expected to be lengthy and meet the 2009 deadline to be in time for the 2010 World Cup. Newly appointed airport manager Lucas Letsholonyane will be meeting with the Exporters’ Club in July to discuss the issue.