Myths and legends surround plans for Durban’s new airport

Ministers at odds over future plans TERRY HUTSON READERS MAY be excused if they feel confused over news reports about who intends what for the proposed King Shaka International Airport and Dube Tradeport, north of Durban. On one hand recently we had the minister of public enterprises, Alec Erwin, stating before a gathering of port users in Durban that the city would have the new airport but would continue to use the existing airport for the benefit of those living and working south of Durban. Two airports “Durban needs two airports, that’s my view and also that of SAA,” he said categorically, adding that the new airport would happen either with option A or option B, in which option A was taken to mean a public private partnership – something he described as ‘complex’. Durban will have a single airport, was the swift reaction from KZN provincial minister of finance and economic development, Zweli Mkhize. “Decisions, not personal views or perceptions about this airport count,” he said. That was before KZN’s prime minister S’bu Ndebele felt compelled to add his weight, all the way from Antwerp where he was on an official visit. “The editorial (referring to the Mercury newspaper) warrants a clear response about the myths and legends surrounding the relocation of the Durban International Airport,” he wrote to the newspaper. “These arguments (from Erwin) have come out of the blue and are not in line with what is in the state of the nation address by President Thabo Mbeki. And just in case the president’s clout is not enough, he added: “And what we understand as the government’s position is expressed by the line functioning minister, Jeff Radebe.” So there you have it, Alec Erwin neatly put in his place and the position of Durban’s new airport about as clear as the mud at the bottom of Durban Bay. No doubt the arguments will continue as to whether KZN warrants a new international airport capable of handling the largest aircraft in service. Watch this space for next year’s revelations – the saga will probably still be continuing.