Thank you Programme Director;
Executive Mayor of Polokwane;
CEOs of national and provincial tourism authorities;
Board and management of GAAL;
Representatives from the Chamber of Business and Commerce;
Representatives from the mining sector;
Representatives from the aviation industry;
Representatives from sister airports and airlines;
Members of the media;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am indeed proud, but also humbled, to be given this opportunity to open this gathering which, we hope, will culminate in this airport reaching a milestone by stamping its name amongst the many airports that our country has to offer. We must note that this gathering takes place at a time when the aviation industry in Europe and West America is faced with volcanic ash concerns, but fortunately, we have been spared the wrath brought on by natural disasters.
Programme Director,
When we met here last year for the official unveiling of the state of readiness of this airport, we promised our people that this airport will be developed to meet the standard expected of a world class airport. We are here today to give expression to those commitments we made seven days before the kick-off to the world’s greatest soccer spectacle.
During the Soccer World Cup, which our country and province hosted successfully, we witnessed this airport welcoming hosts of visitors from all over the world to support matches involving Algeria, Slovenia, Argentina and Greece. It was during that time that this airport proved to all and sundry that a well-planned and developed transport system can propel the country to greater heights.
On that day, when we met and unveiled two state-of-the-art fire fighting trucks, we said to the people of this province that an efficient transport system remains the pillar of every economy. By declaring to the world that this airport was ready for the World Cup, we ensured that at the end of the world’s biggest soccer spectacle, this facility would remain in operation going forward and thus propel the economy of this province to greater heights. This airport must be the epicentre of economic growth for the benefit of the people of Limpopo, South Africa, Africa and the world.
Programme Director,
Our province rates amongst the biggest role players in the agricultural and mining sectors, particularly in the production of tomatoes, avocadoes and platinum. The emergence of coking coal and the growth of the coal industry in the province adds to these growing sectors. We therefore call upon the two sectors to look at cutting short the long haul of their goods to other parts of the country, as we see the airport complementing strategically both road and rail transportation. We say so because we believe without any shadow of a doubt that this airport can play a significant role in the air transport industry. It is about time that this airport stops being a feeder airport to O R Tambo International Airport but stands firmly on its own and be counted amongst the active role players in the aviation industry.
Programme Director,
As government we have inherited this facility from the military in 1996. The beauty that you see today is a complete change from the airport’s former self. For it to reach the standard it is at today, government has invested over R125 million in the past two years on infrastructure development, which included:
- The construction of a world class airport terminal;
- A centralised car rental area;
- Refurbishment of runways, taxiway and apron;
- Procurement of state-of-the-art fire trucks;
- Upgrading of the airport from category 7 to category 9;
- Procurement of ground handling equipment;
- The installation of highlight masts which have increased visibility at the apron;
- Refurbishment of the joint operation centre;
- Installation of ICT infrastructure for all stakeholders;
- Signage in and around the airport;
- Conversion of the T49 hangar into a multi-purpose facility; and
- Construction of a shaded parking area.
Programme Director,
To us this is money well spent and a wise move because it will add value to the lives of the people of this province. It also brings with it improved service delivery with the enlarged terminal, as well as the state-of-the-art T49 hangar, which we hope will be used as an exhibition hub. This refurbished airport also boasts a fuel storage facility which can store 1,2 million litres of jet fuel. There is also a contingency mobile tanker on standby. We are therefore proud to say that we do not use buckets to carry fuel as people would like others to believe. We are indeed on a trajectory of modernising our airport facilities.
Programme Director,
With this airport having being granted a category 9 international operating licence, it means that it can now land any aircraft including the Boeing 747. Our international status can be used effectively to link us with the rest of the world.
Notwithstanding the critical role that Polokwane International Airport played during the World Cup tournament last year, there is clearly no sense of complacency and contrary to expectations, the airport has become anything but a white elephant beyond the landmark soccer spectacle.
Programme Director,
Once again, with Limpopo being the hub of agro-economic activities such as the production of citrus and tomatoes, this makes Polokwane International Airport a strategic airport for trade with the rest of the world. The development of the planned cargo hub will go a long way towards the realisation of this dream.
Currently there is only one scheduled airline servicing the Polokwane-Johannesburg route at fares of up to R3 600,00 return. This is not affordable to all travellers in and out of Polokwane. Introducing other domestic and international routes in the future will lower the fares as well as increase the capacity and size of aircraft.
Programme Director,
As the MEC for Roads and Transport, I practice an open door policy and therefore say to the Board and management of GAAL that my door is always open. If you encounter any challenges along the way, feel free to approach me and together, we will see how best to address those challenges.
We wish to thank everyone for attending this event and hope that the discussions that will filter throughout today will be for the advancement and entrenchment of the priorities of the ruling African National Congress. Words of gratitude are in order to the organisers of this occasion for putting together an event of this magnitude. I wish all the delegates at this forum everything of the best and hope that the results of the deliberations will be in the best interests of the people of Limpopo.
With the powers vested on me as the Member of the Executive Council tasked with overseeing the Department of Roads and Transport, I declare this Forum open.
Inkomu, Aaah, Ke a Leboga
