Polokwane International Airport still not generating enough revenue

Allegations that Polokwane International Airport might soon close shop due to financial constraints and poor infrastructure have been refuted by Tom Nkoana, Chairperson of the Board of Gateway Airports Authority Limited (Gaal).
Nkoana stressed that the airport was not going to close and that their infrastructure can handle any aircraft, including fighter jets. He further emphasised that while Gaal is a 3D enterprise and therefore has to be self-sufficient and self-sustainable, the entity unfortunately still heavily depended on government grant. He indicated that the airport was still not generating the expected revenue that would stop it from depending on government grant. According to Nkoana, the entity receives about R53 million in grant money and annually generates at least R17 million of revenue.
“I am not happy with the revenue we generate. Our income is currently dependent on the tenants. The big issue is investors. We have to attract more investors for the airport to stop depending on Government. We are in talks with several companies and we hope they will come on board. We envisage being able to offer flights from Polokwane to Cape Town in the near future. If we can be a fully-fledged enterprise the Public Finance Management Act would allow us to operate like a business,” Nkoana remarked.
He further said the airport did not have a Chief Executive Officer for a while but the fact that they recently appointed Masingita Baloyi in the position is a step in the right direction. He expressed confidence that they would turn around the airport soon. He went on to highlight that Gaal wishes to have at least five airports under its umbrella, adding that they were pushing to bring PR Mphephu, Giyani, Musina, Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit airports on board before the end of this financial year.
Nkoana clarified that thus far the entity was only responsible for Polokwane International Airport and concluded by assuring the public that they will drive the airport in a right direction for it to sustain itself.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za