On a clear growth trajectory
• Airport aims to double in size in next five years, writes Alf James
Lanseria International Airport (LIA) is one of only two privatelyowned and managed international airports in SA and the second-largest airport in Gauteng in terms of passenger numbers, according to Rampa Rammopo, CEO of Lanseria International Airport.
He says the airport is currently processing about 200,000 passengers a month, which has grown from 160,000 passengers a month in 2017. While most of these are scheduled, commercial passengers travelling in the popular Johannesburg-Cape Town-Durban triangular route, LIA also has the ability to offer regional and international air services through its airline partners, but only to and from African countries.
“In that regard we are talking to a number of airlines to start operating regional African routes with a focus on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“We aim to be launching a few of these routes with Rampa Rammopo … potential.
regional airlines in the next 12 to 18 months,” says Rammopo.
Because of limitations on runway capacity LIA is not able to offer intercontinental commercial flights. However, the airport is also used extensively by charter operators and private flights flying regionally and internationally.
LIA implemented a programme of continual infrastructure development and improvement since 2010 in anticipation of its growth.
“Four years ago we commissioned a new runway and de-commissioned the old one, which was done in such a way that the two projects were completed alongside each other without a disruption to services,” says Rammopo.
“The opening of our new air traffic control tower and fire station was one of the highlights of 2017 as we relocated the tower from one side of the airport to the other to ensure clear visibility of the runway and other key locations within the runway infrastructure, which has improved the efficiency of our operations.
“We have also upgraded our international section of the terminal building in anticipation of the increase in international and regional traffic.
“We are fortunate to have financial partners who believe in LIA’s story and potential, and provide us with the necessary funds to grow our infrastructure and ensure we have the human capital in place to realise our development, plans. We aim to double the size of the airport in the next five years.”
Fortunately Lanseria has vast tracks of vacant land to accommodate all the planned expansion and development in the medium term.
One of its strengths is its location within a catchment area of 11-million people from the north and north-western suburbs of Johannesburg who have ease of access to it.
“Easy, fast and efficient access is crucial. The Gauteng Province’s Department of Transport is busy upgrading some of the arterial roads in the vicinity of the airport, which supports our model of convenience,” says Rammopo.
“Ease of access is accentuated from the moment passengers drive into the airport and park their cars, because it shouldn’t take longer than five minutes to get from their parking to check-in stations and ultimately to their plane. Our dedicated and multiskilled staff add to our passengers’ experience of convenience with efficient and friendly service throughout the airport and when boarding flights.
“The airport’s staff culture encourages employees to take responsibility for LIA’s service levels and passengers’ experience,” he says.
LIA commenced with the construction of a multistorey parkade last year, which will increase the parking bay capacity by about 1,000 bays. The first phase that included a tunnel connecting the parkade to the terminal building was completed in October 2017.
“We expect the second phase to be completed by November 2018 with the opening at the end of November to ensure the airport is ready for the December traffic.”
While efficiency and convenience are key, so too is passenger comfort, catered for by the airport’s range of lounges. Travellers can relax in the Bidvest Premier Lounge; the SLOW XS lounge is available to qualifying kulula.com, FNB, RMB and Comair guests; and the Western Sky lounge is for VIP and CIP passengers.
“Convenience and comfort are at the heart of LIA’s service to passengers and airlines alike,” says Rammopo.