Bay airport reopening set to boost the region’s economy
THE City of uMhlathuze continues to drive all efforts to maximise local economic growth.
This is according to Mayor Xolani Ngwezi, who said investment in critical infrastructure such as Richards Bay Airport is crucial to grow business and create much-needed employment.
Ngwezi was speaking at the official reopening of the regional airport on Monday as it welcomed its first commercial flight after an enforced twoyear closure.
The reinstatement of services comes after an extensive process which involved infrastructure upgrades, beefing up of security and fire personnel – with the fencing of the airport among the list of priorities.
“The rigorous process involved in getting back the correct licence for commercial flights was foreign to many of us. It was a tedious and lengthy process of continuous auditing and compliance checks by the Civil Aviation Authority," said Ngwezi.
“However, in the end and with the assistance of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the persistence of Airlink as one of our strategic partners, we made it to this important day.
“The role played by ACSA proves that organs of State are interdependent and interrelated in many ways. They held our hand and will not let go until the airport meets not just the minimum standards but thrives and is economically viable,” he said.
The mayor said, although they remain hopeful of other airlines coming on board to boost flight services in the near future, privately-owned airline Airlink has jumped at the opportunity to deliver two daily flights servicing the JohannesburgRichards Bay route.
“When the time comes, we definitely would like to see other airlines taking this route,” said Ngwezi.
He said this would not only be beneficial for the city but for the entire region.
“This airport does not only assist the people of this city but the entire tourism industry up to the far northern parts of the region, all the way to uMhlabuyalingana.
"It is in a strategic location, and it is therefore important for us to keep it safe,” the mayor said.
Addressing the ceremony celebrating the reopening, acting group manager for business development and commercial at ACSA, Sibusiso Sibiya said Richards Bay Airport was identified among those with great potential for growth and prime for investment.
“Transport infrastructure is the backbone of any national economic agenda and development as it facilitates movement of goods and people.
“In the context of Richards Bay, this cannot be more true as it boasts manufacturing and mining, a coal terminal, a seaport and the RBIDZ that will benefit from the reopening of this airport,” said Sibiya.