New Durban airport will incorporate industrial zone

Construction to begin next year CONSTRUCTION WORK on the new King Shaka International Airport north of Durban will go ahead next year, Transport Minister Dullah Omar told Parliament last week, scotching appeals by the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) to delay the start. The new facility is scheduled to be fully operational by 2006. Acsa had wanted this delayed to 2010. Omar has now announced that the R2,5billion project will also include an adjoining trade area, which has already received solid support from various quarters. Mike Mabuyakhulu, KwazuluNatalÕs MEC for economic affairs and tourism, has said that local businessmen were being bombarded by partnership offers from international companies. The province had approved the creation of an industrial zone, embracing the airport, road, trade port and rail development, he said. Tshepo Peege, general manager of aviation and maritime regulation in the Department of Transport, has been appointed project co-ordinator. He says it is envisaged that the Dube Tradeport Ð the name to be given to the entire zone incorporating the airport and industrial areas Ð would have as its centre the international passenger airport costing R980 million and the airfreight platform at a cost of R250 million. A budget of R500 million has been set aside for the industrial development zone and R150 million for a cyber-port and cyber- village.