User:Masingitahb

GAAL - Gateway Airports Authority Limited

GAAL is a state-owned company, under the custody of the Limpopo Department of Transport (LDoT) in South Africa. Despite its listing as a schedule 3D company under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), it is administered in accordance to the Companies Act 2008. Despite GAAL being an official public entity, there is currently no instructing act to guide the scope and limitations. Therefore, GAAL’s mandate is derived from its Article of Association, dated 29 March 1995. This document states the mandate of GAAL as ‘to act as airport managers and administrators”.

GAAL headquarters is based in Polokwane International Airport (PTG) at Polokwane city in Limpopo province. Polokwane International Airport is a designated aviation hub in the province, managed and administered by GAAL. Limpopo Province has a total of approximately 56 airports, inclusive of the airstrips. With structured coordination, these airports could be better positioned to stimulate and facilitate economic development. Of these airports, three are owned by the provincial government being PIA, PR Mphephu (Thohoyandou) and Siyandani (Giyani). Lephalale, Musina and Hoedspruit already boast as developmental gateways for the province and they are owned by the provincial government. These airports are deemed as strategic points for the province and they are seen as the growth nodes.

Of the three airports owned by provincial government, PIA is administered by GAAL. Given its location, the level of developmental activities is far less that what is deemed to be its full potential. GAAL has been assigned the responsibility to turnaround this airport to a sustainable business unit. Currently PIA is funded through grants from the LDoT, despite it being a Schedule 3D entity.