Eastern Cape upgrades all airports except PE

While plans for extending the runway of the Port Elizabeth “international” airport remain grounded, the Eastern Cape continues to invest millions in less busy airports. This, despite lobbying from the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and the logistic industry. “We continue to engage Acsa on the question of the airport,” confirms chamber operations director Samantha Venter. The latest Eastern Cape airport to get a makeover is a R55- million upgrade to the Mthatha airport, which currently handles two flights a day. Bhisho airport at Bulembu was upgraded at a cost of R64 million in 2008, and is currently used by Port Alfredbased 43 Air School for advanced training. Over R100 million was spent on upgrading the East London airport, with a new terminal handed over in 2010. Port Elizabeth, which is home to a Fifa World Cup stadium, received a R68-million facelift for 2010. Government remains uncommitted to extending the runway, which would open up the airport for international freighters – at present most of Port Elizabeth’s “airfreight” travels by road to and from OR Tambo, and international travellers have to catch a connecting flight.