The R70-million upgrade of the Bhisho airport was completed last week, paving the way for potential investors to put forward proposals to include the development of airport facilities for business purposes, vehicle hire, shuttle services and catering.

“Our doors are wide open for any investor who wants to come forward and add value to this project seeking to breathe new life into the Bhisho airport,” said Roads and Transport MEC Gloria Barry.

The upgrade forms part of the Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy, unveiled by the Eastern Cape roads and transport department in October 2006 in an effort to maximise the potential of the Bhisho and Mthatha airports and breathe new life into the province‘s rural airstrips.

The main objective of the strategy is to ensure adherence to the national policy that government should not be involved with operating airports but would remain responsible for ensuring that airports contribute to the socio-economic development of the area.

Two months ago the Bhisho airport re-opened its refuelling facility following an upgrade by Air BP, while 43 Air School is currently using the airport for advanced training of pilots.

The school‘s trainees include 16 students from Rwanda.

Later this year, 180 student pilots and 120 aircraft technicians from southern Sudan are expected to start their three-year training programme. These students will arrive in phases and by December a group of 66 students will be trained at the Bhisho airport.

A group from India will be trained at the airport this month, followed by a team from Europe next year.

The Bhisho airport upgrade will be followed by the start of the R60-million Mthatha airport refurbishment. On September 25 Barry will officially hand over the Mthatha airport site to the contractor and launch the airport renaming process to encourage members of the public to participate in changing its name.

Source: The Herald