[5] On 7 November 2012 a C-47TP of the South African Air Force was involved in a landing accident at the airport, damaging its right wing, engine and propeller.

Early reports stated that the aircraft was carrying a medical crew visiting former President Nelson Mandela at his home in Qunu.

[6][7][8] On 5 December 2012, all 11 people on board were killed in the 2012 Drakensberg SAAF Dakota crash en route to Mthatha Airport.

[10] Mthatha Airport was again placed under military control temporarily following the death of Nelson Mandela on 5 December 2013, as his state funeral was to be held in the nearby rural village of Qunu where he grew up.

[14] On 14 December 2013, Mandela's body was flown from Air Force Base Waterkloof near Pretoria to Mthatha Airport for his funeral and burial.

Ruwacon is expected to construct a new passenger terminal, a rental car facility with accommodations for parking and washing vehicles, a refuelling station, a security fence, and roadways.