Aviation looking up, says Chikunga
Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says investments in upgrading airports and improving cargo handling are on the cards to aid the aviation sector’s recovery post-Covid.
Backlogs at SA’s ports have prompted industrialists, importers and exporters to turn to the aviation sector in a bid to transport goods to their markets.
Chikunga was giving an update on developments in the Airports Company SA (Acsa), the SA Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic and Navigation Services. “The aviation sector’s recovery is on a positive trajectory,” she said.
Data from last quarter of 2023/24 showed passenger numbers were just over 16% below pre-Covid-19 numbers.
Under a five-year permission period granted by the regulating committee, she said Acsa had earmarked R21.7bn for infrastructure development.
The investment focuses on refurbishments, efficiency improvements and statutory compliance measures to improve asset availability, airport safety and passenger experiences at airports.
TERMINALS
Over the next two years, Acsa plans to embark on capacity expansion projects at Gqeberha’s Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport and George Airport, focusing on expansion of terminal facilities.
“The terminal expansion project at George Airport is set to commence at the earliest opportunity due to the airport passenger throughput having passed its design capacity pre Covid-19. This will be followed by Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport within the next year or two,” she said.
Acsa will also embark on the development of a new cargo terminal, known as Mid-field Cargo, at OR Tambo International Airport. Six new busing gates will be added to the existing Terminal A facility at OR Tambo, along with augmenting retail, seating and holding lounge areas. In phase 2, a new mezzanine level will be constructed.
At Cape Town International Airport, priority will be given to reconfiguration of the domestic arrivals terminal to meet growing capacity needs.
“This encompasses enlarging the meet-and-greet area, expansion of the baggage claim area, an additional baggage carousel, expansion of the domestic departures lounge, retail spaces and ablution facilities, as well as the addition of three new contact gates and fixed boarding bridges. Second, the initiation and development of the realigned runway development project is anticipated within the permission period.”
King Shaka International Airport in Durban will see the development of a hotel, with terminal expansion during the final year of the permission period.