Local carrier SA Airlink on Thursday became the first airline to land on the new runway of the Mthatha Airport, in the Eastern Cape.

Construction of the new runway, which could accommodate larger aircraft, formed part of Phase 1 of the three-phase Mthatha Airport upgrade project, which is partly funded by the Department of Transport (DoT).

The first phase also includes the construction of a new terminal building.

"The R465-million allocated by the department for this upgrade project is in line with the commitment by national government to develop the planned south-eastern node and corridor in the Eastern Cape, and to establish an anchor logistical hub in the centre of the corridor,” Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu said in a statement.

Development of the corridor had been mandated by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission to bolster the province’s industrial and agricultural development and export capacity, and constituted one of 18 Strategic Integrated Projects, or Sips, making up the National Infrastructure Plan.

The upgrade, which will be completed during the current financial year, would position Mthatha Airport as a passenger and freight hub, linking road, rail and air transportation, and effectively establishing a gateway to the eastern section of the province.

The DoT would also develop a comprehensive aviation strategy for the province, which would form the basis for engagement with the relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry in an effort to identify the best model for the development of Phase 2.

This upgrade was expected to improve the airport’s capacity, and the department continued to lobby and negotiate with airlines to service the route between Mthatha and Johannesburg, and between Mthatha and Durban.

In addition, the provincial government intended to establish a service between Cape Town and Mthatha, via Port Elizabeth and Bhisho.

“This project will enable government to unlock the economic growth potential of the region and the province,” added Marawu.