24 August 2007
Today, 12 Bhisho Airport workers received fencing training certificates from
the Department of Labour, which proves their competency to participate in the
upgrade of the airport fence. These workers are part of a group of more than
100 people from surrounding villages, who have been employed at the airport
since the start of the approximately R100 million upgrade in March 2007. Thirty
more people will be trained soon on various fields during the upgrade process,
as part of the skills transfer process, as espoused in the Expanded Public
Works Programme (EPWP).
This initiative is in line with the Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy, which was
unveiled by the Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport on 2 October
2006 in an effort to maximise the potential of the Bhisho and Mthatha airports
and bring new life to the rural airstrips within the province. The main
objective of this strategy is to ensure adherence to the National Policy (White
Paper on Civil Aviation of March 2005), where it is stated that government
should not be involved with operating airports, but should encourage private
sector involvement. Government, however, remains responsible for ensuring that
airports contribute to the socio-economic development of the area.
Since the start of the upgrade, the following activities have occurred:
1. Air BP has started with the revamping of the fuel depot at their
costs.
2. Aircraft movements have already improved from 13 movements per month before
October 2006 to 67 per month and this will steadily increase as fuel becomes
available.
3. The control tower has been stripped and new painting and renovations are
taking place.
4. Terminal building for 43 Air School offices is nearing completion, which is
expected the next month.
5. New security road is being constructed with a new security fence.
6. New fire tender worth R5 million was delivered on 20 May 2007 from overseas
and firemen have completed a course on this new vehicle. The main intention is
to increase the emergency capacity of the airport and improve its grades from
two to four.
7. The airport runway has been closed since August 2007 and will remain closed
for six weeks.
This upgrade is expected to be completed by March 2008.
Bhisho Airport has been earmarked for international flights during the 2010
Fifa World Cup. South African Airways (SAA) has expressed its interest at the
Bhisho Airport and more companies are coming forward with proposals. The
Department of Roads and Transport has further purchased two large airport fire
engines for the Mthatha Airport and will apply to upgrade our license from four
to six with South African Civil Aviation Authority, which will enable bigger
aircraft to land there. The security perimeter road has been upgraded as this
is part of the requirements.
While the upgrade continues at both Bhisho and Mthatha Airports, the
Department of Roads and Transport will simultaneously embark on a process of
consulting various stakeholders in an effort to rename these airports. This
week, the department wrote a letter to the Eastern Cape Geographic Names
Committee to inform the structure about its intention. This will be followed by
a public consultation process.
Enquiries:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Spokesperson
Ministry for Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport
Cell: 082 442 2388
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
24 August 2007
