The Maruleng local municipality is on the cusp of a significant development in South Africa’s aviation landscape. Plans are in full swing to obtain an international airport license for Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport. This groundbreaking initiative aims to expand the country’s main international airports from three to four, with the objective of streamlining travel for tourists heading to the renowned Kruger National Park.
Located on the foothills of the Klein Drakensberg mountain, Hoedspruit town sits adjacent to the border between Mpumalanga and Limpopo, in close proximity to the esteemed National Park. This strategic positioning makes it an ideal gateway for visitors exploring this iconic region.
Recently, the Limpopo provincial government announced a pivotal meeting between Ms. Florence Radzilani, MEC for Transport and Community Safety in Limpopo, and Cllr Tsheko Musolwa, the Mayor of Maruleng Local Municipality. The primary agenda was to deliberate on the Executive Committee’s resolution to confer an international license upon Hoedspruit Airport and outline the subsequent steps toward its realization.
Highlighting the rationale behind this decision, a statement by the provincial government elucidated, “The determination was influenced by the substantial footfall at Hoedspruit Airport annually. Preceding the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the airport facilitated transit for over 71,000 passengers, of which more than 75% were international tourists predominantly hailing from Central Europe and Scandinavian countries.”
The statement emphasized the pivotal role of Hoedspruit Airport as the pivotal entry point for tourists venturing into the Kruger Transfrontier Park and various other attractions situated in the eastern expanse of the country.
Additionally, the statement underscored the airport’s infrastructure prowess, boasting the country’s second longest runway spanning 3.7 kilometers. Past instances of hosting direct international flights further validate its capacity to accommodate the proposed upgrade.
Foreseeing the substantial advantages, the statement emphasized, “The international license will significantly benefit the tourism and agricultural sectors, which serve as the economic backbone of both Maruleng and the Province.”
Presently, South Africa boasts three primary international airports, namely O.R. Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka International Airports. Mayor Musolwa highlighted that the current necessity for connecting flights via O.R. Tambo and Cape Town International Airport results in missed revenue opportunities for the Limpopo province. Many tourists opt for stopovers in Johannesburg and Cape Town before embarking on their connecting flights to Hoedspruit, affecting the local economy.
Drawing attention to the bottleneck situation during peak seasons, Musolwa revealed the limited number of connecting flights, with only two from Cape Town and three from Johannesburg. This scenario significantly impacts tourism flow, especially during festive holidays.
Stakeholders within the private game reserve and lodge sectors in the vicinity echoed their consensus on the immense benefits of securing an international airport license. They foresee a positive ripple effect benefiting every entity within the tourism value chain.
In a bid to materialize this transformative development, provincial and municipal officials are actively engaging with the National Department of Transport and the South African National Defense Force. These engagements have reached an advanced stage, signifying the concerted efforts to actualize this pivotal objective.
The impending acquisition of an international airport license for Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport stands poised to redefine South Africa’s tourism landscape. Positioned as the new gateway to the illustrious Kruger National Park, this evolution promises enhanced accessibility, economic growth, and an unparalleled experience for local and international tourists alike.
