The skies above a rarely used airport in the Eastern Cape were abuzz this week as huge aircraft brought in helicopters, cars and a delegation accompanying United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on a private visit to the province.
Bhisho airport, once the pride of the Ciskei “homeland” when it had a staffed air traffic control tower and even a runway snowplough, was used as an official “temporary” port of entry for the VIP delegation.
The group includes Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who reportedly owns a luxury bush lodge outside Makhanda and invited guests to a celebration linked to Ramadan. Equipment flown in for the occasion included vehicles and an air ambulance.
Aviation sources say the logistical arrangements were extraordinary and included an airport revamp and contracting of specialised air traffic staff to man the tower at the airport.
The visit was facilitated by the Eastern Cape provincial government with the help of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), which confirmed it had inspected the airport to ensure compliance.
Aviation sources say the logistical arrangements were extraordinary and included an airport revamp and contracting of specialised air traffic staff to man the tower at the airport
“The Bhisho airport management upgraded the airport infrastructure,” said spokesperson Sisa Majola. “The SACAA conducted oversight inspections to ensure that those upgrades were adequate and that they were in line with the regulation requirements and standards.”
Bhisho airport (also known as Bulembu Airport) was declared a temporary international port of entry by home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi in a letter to Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and seen by the Sunday Times.
“You are hereby informed that your request to have Bhisho Airport declared an International Port of Entry in terms of section 9 (3) (b) of the Immigration Act has been approved,” the minister said. “Approval has been granted to allow the president of the UAE and delegation to enter the republic at Bhisho Airport on the date as requested.”
Provincial transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said: “The [UAE] delegation has invested in the painting of the runway, grass cutting as well as procurement of the generator used to power the airport in case of load-shedding.”
He said the visit would be a boost for the province and the country.
“The delegation is set to bring about an injection in the tourism sector, and other economic spin-offs will emerge from that,” Binqose said.
UAE ambassador Mahash Saeed Salem Mahash Al Hameli confirmed the UAE president was visiting the province: “The visit is of benefit for both countries and this should be celebrated. This will bring good investment to both countries.”
An aviation source said the airport was used due to runway limitations for the large cargo planes at other provincial airports.
Another source said that — unlike the infamous Gupta Waterkloof landing when VIP guests were flown in for a wedding — the UAE visit was done “by the book — these guys are very professional”.
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