Eastern Cape commits R10m to airport upgrades

Bulembu seen as ideal regional cargo hub BULEMBU AIRPORT near Bisho in the Eastern Cape is back in the spotlight. Built originally to serve the former Ciskei homeland, it is large enough and sufficiently well equipped to operate as an international facility. But it has stood practically unused for years, with occasional military and private aircraft flying in. Now matters may change. The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has set aside R10million to upgrade Bulembu and the Umtata airport. No official reason has been given for the move, but the general feeling in the Eastern Cape is that they can serve in the planned tourism growth of the region. Industrialists have long held the belief that Bulembu could become a cargo hub for the region. Neither East London nor Port Elizabeth airports are totally suited to this type of operation, whereas the Bisho facility has a landing strip capable of accommodating the big freighters, together with warehouses and other essential facilities. The transport department has called for applications for a specialist adviser to brief the department on various alternatives in management, maintenance, operations and development of both airports. The adviser will be responsible for an analysis of the options and a comprehensive feasibility study of affordability. This will provide an indication of how value for money will be achieved through appropriate risk transfer and integration into existing national and local aviation infrastructure. A few years ago officials of the Development Bank of South Africa showed considerable interest in the development of Bulembu as a cargo airport, but the economy of the region was severely depressed at the time. The current more buoyant outlook has rekindled interest.