Construction work at Mthatha Airport resumed on Monday after a “misunderstanding” between two contractors was resolved.

Provincial Department of Transport spokesperson Ncedo Kumbaca said work halted earlier this year after a joint venture between Ludumo and Al-mo JV apparently failed to open a neutral account in which the department could make payments.

Kumbaca said the province approached the national Department of Transport to assist in building the multi-million rand runway to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s.

He said that the new runway would cost up to R250 million.

“Since the provincial Department of Transport does not have the required funding for the runway, we have further approached the national Department of Transport, which indicated its willingness to consider the support for the upgrade of the airport,” Kumbaca said.

The Mthatha Airport was handed over for refurbishment worth R60 million by the MEC for Transport Gloria Barry in October 2008.

The whole airport was being revamped, with the extension of the car park, building of a sewage line and renovations to the terminal currently under way.

At the time, Barry said the airport was expected to be completed in early 2010.

Kumbaca said that the delays were regrettable but the provincial government had intervened to ensure there were no further delays.