The Eastern Cape's provincial government claims to have received approval to operate Bhisho as an international cargo hub to support agricultural exports and the automotive sector, but South Africa's aviation regulator says it has not yet received an application to license the airport for cargo operations, The Herald and Daily Dispatch newspapers report.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the airport would be used to export agricultural products, including red meat, and ease pressure on East London and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo. He acknowledged that the airport would require upgrades but declined to disclose the scope or cost of the planned works.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority told the newspapers that while Bhisho (also known as Bisho or Bulembu) already holds an aerodrome licence, the authority had not received an application for a cargo airport licence, suggesting the provincial government's plans are ahead of the formal regulatory process.

Currently, Bhisho is used by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) airborne unit and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Airwing and has no scheduled commercial services.

UAE-linked activity

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the potential economic benefits of upgrading Bhisho to international status, particularly for the proposed task of expanding red-meat exports to the United Arab Emirates, but called for greater transparency and regulatory compliance.

It questioned the scale of planned activities linked to a visiting UAE delegation, with about 13 aircraft, including a Boeing C-17 military transporter and a B777 widebody, expected to use the airport. The DA said the operations raised concerns about whether the facility was being used primarily for private interests rather than a transparent provincial economic strategy.

The party said it had previously submitted questions in the provincial legislature and sought records relating to any proposed lease of airport land to UAE interests, and approached the home affairs minister regarding immigration and border-control compliance.

It called on the provincial government to publish the project's feasibility study, funding model, regulatory approvals, and projected economic benefits, and ensure the airport remains open to multiple operators rather than exclusive commercial arrangements.

The airport gained national attention when UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his royal entourage used it for private arrivals. Because large private and cargo jets in his entourage could not fit the turning circle at Port Elizabeth, he provided funding to upgrade Bhisho's tarmac and runway to accommodate flights visiting his nearby private game reserve.