Lack of demand from international airlines discouraged move
DURBAN'S ON/OFF new La Mercy airport is no longer a priority. That's the word from the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).
Speaking at the presentation of ACSA's annual results recently, managing director Dirk Ackerman said that a lack of demand from international airlines meant that there was no longer an urgent need to move from the present Durban International Airport.
This has nothing to do with the present runway status or any speculated shortage of facilities, he said, adding that international airlines elected to use the existing gateways of Cape Town and Johannesburg as a hub for the remainder of the country for both tourist and freight purposes. He explained that there had been a decline in the number of international flights using Durban, and said that a feasibility report had been completed and handed to KZN's transport minister for discussion later this month.
According to Ackerman, the present Durban Airport will be adequate until 2010, apart from some upgrading and extensions. Executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives Lofty Dundas agreed with Ackerman, saying that his members were happy with the present situation at Durban and that funds should rather be spent elsewhere.
The development of La Mercy as an international airport to the north of Durban has been on the drawing boards for over twenty years, when land was first expropriated and cleared for runway development. Although preliminary earthworks were completed further development has been deferred for a variety of reasons over the ensuing years.
By Terry Hutson
