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Bhisho set for international airport
Posted on: Friday, 27 October 2006. Article source: The Herald
The Eastern Cape transport department has welcomed a national transport department report which says Bhisho could be turned into an international airport for the 2010 World Cup.
The turnaround plan for the Bhisho Airport is part of a R3,7-billion transport department strategy to boost South Africa‘s public transport system for the 2010 Cup.
The money will be spent on road construction around the country and improving the rail system. It will also make provision for airports such as those at Upington, Mafikeng and Bhisho to be used as entry points for scheduled international flights.
Reacting to the report yesterday, Eastern Cape transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the plan dovetailed well with the launch of the province‘s Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy launched on October 2. The provincial transport department has revealed it had spent R10-million over the past decade to keep the airport functional although it is seldom used.
It was built 20 years ago by Lennox Sebe, the leader of the former Ciskei homeland.
The airport is already seeing some action this month, transport month, with a shuttle flying government officials between Bhisho and Mthata.
Kumbaca said the department was calling on the private sector to start submitting proposals for further airlines, car rental depots, restaurants, accommodation and any other enterprise that could add value to the Bhisho airport.
The hope was that Port Alfred‘s 43 Air School would also establish a presence there.
He said the new international airports would take the pressure off the province‘s established ones in Port Elizabeth and East London.
“The 2010 Cup is not about soccer alone. It is about tourism and presenting our different cultures and history.”
Kumbaca said the Bhisho airport was already ready, in aviation terms, to assume its role as an international gateway.
The national transport department‘s public transport strategy further envisages tough new traffic laws to empower authorities to seize licenses when necessary.
Transport minister Jeff Radebe said the first batch of grants from a budgeted R3,8-billion had already been allocated to municipalities hosting the 2010 soccer matches. The success of the event “is dependent mainly on our ability to provide world-class infrastructure and systems that will be enjoyed by all South Africans well beyond 2010”, he said.
The turnaround plan for the Bhisho Airport is part of a R3,7-billion transport department strategy to boost South Africa‘s public transport system for the 2010 Cup.
The money will be spent on road construction around the country and improving the rail system. It will also make provision for airports such as those at Upington, Mafikeng and Bhisho to be used as entry points for scheduled international flights.
Reacting to the report yesterday, Eastern Cape transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the plan dovetailed well with the launch of the province‘s Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy launched on October 2. The provincial transport department has revealed it had spent R10-million over the past decade to keep the airport functional although it is seldom used.
It was built 20 years ago by Lennox Sebe, the leader of the former Ciskei homeland.
The airport is already seeing some action this month, transport month, with a shuttle flying government officials between Bhisho and Mthata.
Kumbaca said the department was calling on the private sector to start submitting proposals for further airlines, car rental depots, restaurants, accommodation and any other enterprise that could add value to the Bhisho airport.
The hope was that Port Alfred‘s 43 Air School would also establish a presence there.
He said the new international airports would take the pressure off the province‘s established ones in Port Elizabeth and East London.
“The 2010 Cup is not about soccer alone. It is about tourism and presenting our different cultures and history.”
Kumbaca said the Bhisho airport was already ready, in aviation terms, to assume its role as an international gateway.
The national transport department‘s public transport strategy further envisages tough new traffic laws to empower authorities to seize licenses when necessary.
Transport minister Jeff Radebe said the first batch of grants from a budgeted R3,8-billion had already been allocated to municipalities hosting the 2010 soccer matches. The success of the event “is dependent mainly on our ability to provide world-class infrastructure and systems that will be enjoyed by all South Africans well beyond 2010”, he said.
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