A freight city is being developed at the Port Elizabeth airport as part of a R50-million upgrade to its facilities.
The airport is reporting a steady growth in both freight and passenger volumes. The airport is handling up to five freighters a night on mostweekdays as exports from the Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage motor industry suppliers pick up.
Since the beginning of the last financial year in April freight and mail volumes have grown steadily from 787 612 kg a month to 1 067 655 kg.
Local business and the city council have been putting pressure on the Airports company for some time to upgrade the airport to international status.
The process was hastened by a city council decision late last year to sell the airports company the land it needs to expand the runway by 500 metres and for a second runway for R1. General manager national airports Connie Muller has already put plans into action.
Work has started on an office building which will house the administration staff presently using the terminal building.
The building is fully let and work will start on a second office block once it is 75% let. There are plans for four two-story office blocks to accommodate businesses which need to be close to an airport.
The occupation of the first block will free space to upgrade the passenger facilities. More than half a million passengers used the airport during 1996 - 45% more than in 1992, and there is no space for a customs hall.
The alterations will allow for immigration and customs facilities and will also provide passengers with a covered walkway along the length of the building. Next will be the extension of the apron to bring the aircraft closer to the terminal building.
At the same time the parking area is being revamped, with modern pay-as-you-walk payment system and the service roads are being ugraded. One of the first benefits will be the opening up of four light industrial sites. A retail and light industrial development which will make more industrial land available is also on the drawing board.
Plans for the airport include an industrial area adjacent to the existing complex and, ultimately, between the two runways. Two hangars are being moved to provide additional facilities in the planned freight city, and additional buildings will be erected once there is sufficient demand.
Work will start on extending and upgrading the runway once the work on the roads and terminal buildings has been completed.
Ed Richardson
