The upgrading process, made possible by a grant of R30 million from the provincial government, will include the construction of new terminal buildings, larger freight and cold storage facilities, and the establishment of a top conference centre.
 
The airport, formerly part of an air force base, has operated on a limited budget since being taken over by the provincial transport department in 1995.
 
"In line with our vision of being recognised as a transformed and successful world-class international airport, we are ready to set new standards of excellence in 2005," General Manager for Marketing and Planning Patricia Achataki Tharage said yesterday. 
 
However, the services to be offered would be affordable, convenient and accessible, designed to meet the needs of all clients, from tourists to demanding importers and exporters, she added. 
 
"Starting with the introduction of larger aircraft and more frequent scheduled flights on the Polokwane-Johannesburg route in 2005, the airport will be called upon to handle larger numbers of people daily," Ms Tharage explained.
 
She pointed out that, as an introductory offer, return flights to and from the Johannesburg International Airport would cost only R890, with early morning flights in both directions, for business executives, also on the cards.
 
The carrying capacity of the daily flights would increase dramatically, and the in-flight service would be the very best available, she explained.
 
Apart from improved comfort on the new, large capacity flights, travel time from Polokwane to Johannesburg would be reduced to a mere 40 minutes, Ms Tharage added.
 
"With its new, highly motivated management team, the Polokwane International Airport Limited (PIAL) aims to be a commercially-driven organisation, committed to delivering excellent economic and social benefits for all its stakeholders", Mr Shadrack Ramosa, the airport's CEO commented.