New runway opens at Mthatha airport

Transport MEC Thandiswa Marhawu

The landing marked the beginning of a brighter future for the airport as it could now accommodate bigger aircraft following the completion of the building of the new runway, said Transport MEC Thandiswa Marhawu.

The project formed part of the Mthatha Airport Upgrade Phase One, which is expected to be completed during the current financial year and will include a new Terminal Building.

The National Department of Transport allocated R465 million for the upgrade project.

Marhawu said the Eastern Cape Department of Transport is positioning Mthatha Airport through a three Phase Programme to be a passenger and freight hub linking road, rail and air transportation and effectively becoming a gateway to the east of the province.

"This logistical hub will not only serve transportation and trade for the easter region of the province but on a local level becomes the next urban centre that complements the development of the first of the four nodes of the City of Mthatha."

This upgrade project is expected to further improve the airport's capacity as the department continues to lobby and negotiate with more airlines to service the route between Mthatha and Johannesburg. Provincial Government intends to have a service between Cape Town and Mthatha, via Port Elizabeth and Bhisho.