Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Honourable Ghishma Barry, yesterday officially announced that the first phase of the Mthatha Airport upgrade had commenced.
MEC Barry was addressing the provincial legislature during the debate of the annual report of the Department of Roads and Transport.
Three Mthatha based construction companies Tikanedywili Construction and Makole Business Enterprise, Lodumo/Alamo Project Joint Venture and Intellec Construction started the work a few weeks ago and are expected to complete the project in May 2010.
The project costs R56 million and includes the building of a temporary relocation structure, terminal building upgrade, civil works and fencing.
The main aim is to improve the capacity, use and management of the airport as a viable economic asset. The Mthatha Airport upgrade is one of the projects that have been earmarked to contribute positively to tourism in the region and during the 2010 FIFA World Cup event.
Currently the airport receives air link flights from Johannesburg daily and other small aircraft that land during the day. The new facilities will include an airstrip that will be fitted with lights to accommodate late flights. The lighting upgrade has been completed and inspected by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
We are waiting for the issuing of the night rating for Mthatha Airport. The building itself will boast one of the most beautiful roof finishes which will bring life to the airport. Discussions with other sectoral stakeholders have indicated that this upgrade will provide assistance in the promotion of tourism in the eastern half of the province.
“We would like to have an airline between Cape Town and Mthatha via Bhisho.
An important goal is to link Port Elizabeth to Mthatha via Bhisho with the service geared for faster movement between these three areas,” said MEC Barry.
Media contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 082 442 2388
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
4 December 2009
