PIETERSBURG'S GATEWAY International Airport is almost certain to be used for perishable exports following a meeting of the airport management and Northern Province agricultural leaders last week.
There are indications that, once the people in the province can unite and utilise the airport effectively, Gateway could become the cargo hub of southern Africa, says the airport's manager Howard Khosa.
The airport, he says, is now able to cope with all types of aircraft and to provide all necessary support services for international cargo.
Gateway's strategic location in southern Africa, the availability of a railway siding on the premises, together with competent transport handling arrangements were all favourable factors, he said. Gateway has moved 1,7 million kg of freight through its facilities this year.
Khosa points to the congestion at Johannesburg International Airport and says this could encourage the agricultural sector and even other cargo exporters to consider Gateway as a viable alternative.
Transvaal Agricultural Union executive member, Willie Lewies says that meetings are ongoing with airport management to discuss the technical details of agricultural export operations.
By Leonard Neill
Gateway gets tentative nod as perishable export hub
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