Economic growth in the Eastern Cape has suffered a setback with the suspen- sion of local airline South African Airlink flights between Port Eliza-beth and East London, says Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci).

Percci CEO Kevin Hustler believes that a safe and reliable air travel linkage between the regional centres is important in supporting economic growth and development in the Eastern Cape. He adds that the suspension of the routes from Port Elizabeth to East London and Bloenmfontein has had negative implications for the province.

He maintains that permanent suspension of these routes will result in higher costs for the business traveller in terms of time and money, which will be passed on to the consumer. This will also lead to increasing traffic on the roads between these centres, with associated safety and road maintenance implications.

Further, Hustler explains that suspension of the routes has potentially negative implications for the business case of an aviation node in the province and increasing the linkages from Mthatha to other centres.

The province’s airports have undergone extensive upgrades as part of the Eastern Cape Depart-ment of Roads and Transport’s Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy to develop a provincial aviation node as a stimulus for further economic growth.

Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport’s head of aviation Noel Godwin tells Engi-neering News that, while the suspension of the routes is a matter of concern for the department, the Eastern Cape government will continue its aviation strategy.

“While we understand that South African Airlink has made a decision that it believes is in the best interests of its business, the decision is, nevertheless, a serious blow to business in the Eastern Cape,” Hustler concludes.

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