King Shaka Airport helps generate growth

The new King Shaka International Airport at La Mercy has generated massive growth in the KwaZulu-Natal airfreight market, allowing companies to grow their Durban-based operations. Willie De Lange, Intraspeed director for KwaZulu- Natal, says the R7.9 billion government investment, South Africa’s second-largest transport infrastructural project after the Gautrain rapid rail link, has made a major impact on business. “The longer runway is capable of accommodating the world’s largest aircraft and the number of direct scheduled flights by international carriers to this airport is continuing to increase,” says De Lange. “A major feature of the new King Shaka International airport is that it was built as an integrated passenger and freight airport alongside the new Dube Tradeport, which incorporates a 36-hectare trade zone featuring a 15 800 sqm cargo terminal, perishables centre, warehousing and further manufacturing facilities. The fully mechanised and automated cargo terminal – only the second of its kind in Africa – offers state-of-the-art airfreight handling facilities, which Intraspeed is ready to take full advantage of.” The company has already drawn up expansion plans for its operation in KZN, said De Lange. “Durban is still a lifeline for the SADC region, and having our own operations in countries such as Swaziland and Zimbabwe provides significant opportunities that we continue to capitalise on. Richards Bay is also integral to our operation, moving large capital equipment from the Far and Middle East into southern African regions. Growing our KZN operation is therefore a priority.”