Lanseria used to be a nondescript little domestic airport at the end of Malibongwe Road where the Magaliesberg hills roll into the distance and the Maggie’s Farm roadside attraction makes the best homemade pies north of Johannesburg.
But that’s no longer the case, or, least not for the international airport, that is.
Whereas the pies will always be worth the stop, there’s no mistaking that Lanseria is lifting its profile, as is the area around it.
According to industrial property specialist Angelo Lorenzani, it’s poised to become a key warehousing and logistics place in Gauteng.
“The Lanseria node is quickly gaining traction as more than just an alternative airport, it’s evolving into a strategic logistics and industrial growth corridor for greater Johannesburg and beyond,” he says.
Strategic connectivity is one of Lanseria’s attractions, he argues.
Positioned where it is, at the intersection of the R512, N14 and R114, it’s ideal for distribution and supply chain operations across the Sandton-Pretoria-West Rand region.
Airport-led logistics expansion, Lorenzani says, is another factor counting in the airport’s favour.
“According to recent development announcements, Lanseria International Airport is actively positioning itself as a regional logistics hub with phased infrastructure development that includes cargo precincts and expanded land use for aviation and allied businesses.”
But it’s when Lorenzani elaborates about open land and industrial potential that he probably makes the most compelling case.
“The airport has around 90 hectares of vacant land available for long-term development, offering investors and occupiers significant scale for warehousing, distribution centres, cargo handling facilities and related services.”
Then there’s the add-on potential, namely industrial and business growth.
“Beyond aviation, Lanseria’s broader commercial ecosystem – including the Lanseria Corporate Estate and Business Park – is attracting industrial and logistics occupiers looking for space with excellent regional accessibility and a strong growth outlook.”
Clearly, Lorenzani has reason to be excited about the airport that used to be a peri-urban alternative to OR Tambo, out in the sticks on Gauteng’s boundary with the North West province.
He says: “In a market where accessibility, connectivity and scale drive operational efficiency, Lanseria is rapidly establishing itself as a next-generation logistics and warehousing node, one that warrants attention from tenants, investors and developers alike.”
