Newcastle’s Airport is set to receive a significant investment of just over R55 million, paving the way for upgrades that will not only enhance its facilities but also attract investment, thereby strengthening the local economy.
During the 5th Generation Integrated Development Plan Mayoral Roadshow held at the Newcastle Show Grounds on Tuesday, 30 April 2024, Newcastle Mayor Cllr Xolani Dube emphasised, “Once the airport is up and running, it will boost the economy. We are currently looking for a company to assist in manning the flights and the airport itself.”
Meanwhile, projects earmarked for Newcastle’s airport include:
- To undertake a project that entails the resealing of the airport runway, which is forecast to come with a price tag of R3 000 000. Currently, the Newcastle Municipality is undergoing the necessary processes to obtain a service provider for the upgrading of the gravel roads at the Newcastle airport to be surfaced according to the respective standards.
- To replace the airport runway lights. The new lights are allegedly state-of-the-art equipment which come with a price tag of R2 000 000.
- A project that influences the attraction of scheduled flights through the open sky policy approach. According to the booklet handed out at the roadshow, a commercialisation plan was drafted to attract and advance the operationalisation of the airport, subject to budget availability. While the exact monies to be used for this initiative are still to be confirmed, the project value will be focused on employee-related costs.
- A project that entails the refurbishment of the airport refuelling system. This project is expected to come with a price tag of R800 000. According to the municipal information, the appointed consultant company is to compile a technical report for the identified challenges pertaining to the commercialisation of the Municipal Airport, including costs to enable access to funding/sourcing of funds to implement projects.
- Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme – focused on the airport’s development – this project will focus on the promotion of innovative technology-based companies. The impact of this project is focused on the empowerment of local businesses and the necessary application has been submitted to the National Treasury for consideration, The total project value is expected to reach R55 465 752.
Cllr Faizel Cassim, a member of Newcastle Municipality’s Executive Committee, clarified that the proposed figures for the airport projects are subject to further investigation. He added, “The matter still has to go to council before the final decision is made. The council meeting is expected to take place in the next two weeks.”
As Newcastle Municipality strives to transform Newcastle Airport into a state-of-the-art facility to bolster the local economy, Cllr Cassim highlighted, “Currently the airport is only being used for private flights and medical planes coming in to drop off medical supplies. Once the projects are completed, the airport will assist the business community at large, making it easier for businesspeople to travel and seeing potential investors being brought to town via planes and not having to travel along the roads.”
Furthermore, he outlined plans to introduce domestic flights upon the projects’ completion, providing Newcastle residents with enhanced airport services.
With final decisions on implementing the projects imminent, what are your thoughts on the developments? Feel free to share your views in the comment section below.
9 Responses
They should rather spend that money to build a provincial hospital in town, that airport has been and will remain just a money scheme.
This is good news! The previous administration did nothing with this golden opportunity. A functional airport will greatly add to the development of Newcastle.
Let the work begin, we need youth in these spaces to take advantage of the opportunities that are arising. We nee the the disabled of our society to also be prioritized in this tender, we are tired of nepotism from these tender mafias and unpatriotic citizen who have a never mind attitude,
80% of what they bragging about doing has already been done. This is just a looting scheme. All the airport needs is to verify the routes and an aviation company that will run the airport. Newcastillian should contact the relevant department that handled all the upgrades to the airport.
They should concentrate on repairing the roads and stop ripping the poor on the Municipal bills. The Airport is another dead horse that may never be used. They will abandon it like very thing else.
That R55 Million will land on the wrong hands as usual.They must try something else this Airport will not generate economy in our city that’s it.
Another pie in the sky project. Pardon the pun Where’s the confirmation of the funds. Province has other pressing priorities like the floods, water. Sewer, roads etc. I don’t think they will spend those funds on the airport. Unless their priorities are skewed like Newcastle Local Council going to Drakensberg and losing multiple court cases etc
I bet he Newcastle airshow is coming up, and the looters are ready to move in Mr Cassim you had the facts, now you want to climb on board? You first need an airline wanting to use this route, Arcelor closing, who will use the flights.Sorry but this is no more than a white elephant, give the people, clinics and a university then talk about airports.
One of the reasons why Newcastle Airport was not certified as a commercial airport after the last refurbishment , is because it did not meet the Standards and Safety Regulations of the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
Before spending money ( again ) , NN Municipality must get the South African Civil Aviation Authority to do an audit of the airport to ensure compliance after the planned upgrades