Bulembu Airport in the Eastern Cape will become an air show spectacle and excitement of aviation festivities when it hosts this year’s International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) celebrations this Saturday, 9 December 2023.
This event is led by the Department of Transport in conjunction with the Eastern Cape Government, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, and the Amathole District Municipality. It is supported by aviation entities, the South African Civil Aviation Authority, Airports Company South Africa, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, as well as the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA).
The aerodrome is situated in the Bulembu Village just outside of Bhisho, where the Minister of Transport, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga will deliver a keynote address supported by the Aviation sector leaders for the event.
International Civil Aviation Day is celebrated worldwide, with the objective to promote global connectivity and raise awareness of the importance of local and international air travel to a country's socio-economic development.
Under the global theme of Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognised the 7th of December as a day for International Civil Aviation (ICAD) celebrations globally in 1994. As a signatory state to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), South Africa has been observing ICAD annually since that day.
“We are ecstatic to be taking ICAD celebrations to the Eastern Cape for the second time, and to Bhisho as the capital city of the province. We would like this event to be a catalyst to further enhance transformation of the aviation sector in South Africa,” said Advocate James Mlawu, the Director-General in the Department of Transport.
“More importantly for us as the Department along with our aviation agencies responsible for civil aviation, this event creates awareness for young learners who have an opportunity to gain more knowledge on the sector and to have first-hand experience of aviation when they spend the day with us on Saturday” added the Director-General.
Entry for the day is FREE and open to the public from 12 pm.
Members of the community are encouraged to bring their families, their cameras, umbrellas, and camp chairs. The public should note that NO ALCOHOL will be allowed within the precinct, with strict safety and security measures set to be in place.