It may be considered one of the worst airports in the Eastern Cape, but Umtata airport still attracts a fair share of passengers.
The facility, which was on the brink of closure earlier this month, has two flights a day and three on the weekend.
But now there are fears that the airport could soon have its final flight.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which conducted an investigation earlier this month, said the airport facilities had to be upgraded within 30 days or its licence would be suspended.
With just two weeks remaining before the looming deadline, The Daily Dispatch ventured into the airport grounds to see what had been done.
Driving through the main entrance, a stench of burnt grass welcomed the team. The once overgrown, dry grass that lined the runway and surrounded the airport grounds had been scorched.
Airport manager Anderson Maduneni confirmed that livestock, which had become a danger to landing aircrafts, had often been herded into the airport.
”Neighbouring villagers break down the concrete boundary wall and herd their stock into the airport field,” he said.
Repairing it or building new boundary walls around the 17km field would cost up to R150 000.
”This is why we have temporarily burnt all the grass — to stop the grazing and engage with the community to stop this,” he said.
Despite the burnt grass to deter them, cows, sheep and goats were freely grazing meters away from the runaway Tuesday.
An inner wire fence protecting the runaway had a hole big enough for them to get through.
Daily Dispatch archives show that in early 2000, the airport facility was the first South African airport to be blacklisted by the International Federation of Airline Pilots Association because of livestock roaming across runaways and vandals breaking into offices.
In July 2000, Transport and Safety MEC Dennis Neer instructed the department to build a concrete wall to replace damaged fencing.
But no sooner had the wall been erected, than villagers brought sections of it to the ground and continued herding their livestock into the property at night.
Records show that the Ncise villagers, adjacent to the airport, have often demanded compensation for land taken from them. This was also confirmed by Maduneni.
The land remains a heated, ongoing issue between airport management and the three surrounding villages.
The airport has 50 staff members, two car rental offices and a restaurant.
The CAA also listed faulty fire-fighting equipment and poor management as factors that could lead to the airport’s closure. – Sapa