R10bn to fly Lanseria higher
AIRPORT SET FOR FACE-LIFT
LANSERIA Airport in Johannesburg will benefit from billions of rands in investment in the next few years as the Gauteng government aims to turn it into one of the province’s main economic anchors.
The airport, based on the West Rand, has already had millions of rands injected into it by the private sector. So far, R500-million has already been invested in developing the airport.
Gauteng premier David Makhura, in his state of the province address last month, said the airport was being eyed to boost tourism in the province.
“Lanseria Airport ... will be the main anchor of the new city and new economy of the West Rand,” he said.
“We are working with the municipalities and private sector partners to unlock the potential of Lanseria Airport logistics hub,” Makhura said.
He said over R10-billion was expected to be invested in the air- port over the next 15 years.
West Rand district municipality spokesman Dennis Mangope said the overhaul of the airport into “Lanseria City” would create employment in the area.
“Lanseria Airport and Maropeng Heritage site are therefore our strategic economic anchors as the private sector is also investing almost R500-million to improve infrastructure and build the new Lanseria City, as the new West Rand Metropolitan City will be based in Mogale City,” Mangope said.
“The West Rand district municipality with its sister municipalities continue to work very closely with various SMMEs and its cooperatives to implement the district economic development strategies, [and] this has resulted in the training of more than 150 cooperatives and contractors on various skills [such as] civil engineering, financial management, sewing, agriculture, etc.
“We will tap on these skills to fight poverty and create sustainable jobs,” he added.
He said more details would be revealed soon.
Lanseria Airport will be expanded to be able to facilitate economic development opportunities such as residential development for tourist attraction, special economic zones and research and industrial development.