Political Editor
EASTERN Cape Roads and Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo wants an air link between Port Elizabeth and Mthatha via Bhisho in place before the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking at the O R Tambo district municipality growth and development summit, the MEC said this was “an important goal” and would link the three areas identified as being part of the World Cup, providing for “faster movement” between these venues.
Mhlahlo said his department wanted to attract as many activities as possible to the Bhisho and Mthatha airports and was encouraging interested service providers “to link up with us to discuss their proposals”.
Currently, he said, the Mthatha airport had three scheduled flights a day to Johannesburg operated by Air Link and it was now a priority to secure the services of a second operator on this route. In addition, the possibility of regular flights between Durban and Mthatha was being explored.
Mhlahlo said considerable work had taken place to upgrade the Mthatha airport. The department had bought two new fire engines worth R2,5-million and they would help increase the airport‘s emergency capacity and improve its grade from four to six.
In addition, the national department of environmental affairs and tourism had allocated R28-million for the renovation of the airport and consultants had been appointed. The renovations would include a new parking area for buses and car hire, the repair of all buildings, a new intersection linking with the R61 and conversion of the existing parking area to a pay parking facility.
Mhlahlo also revealed that the design of the second phase of the Wild Coast Meander – a low-volume coastal road linking Kei Mouth with Port St Johns – had started.