New KZN tradeport pushes ahead

Agrizone will cater for perishables
TERRY HUTSON
TRANSPORT MINISTER Jeff Radebe last week confirmed that the new airport and Tradeport at La Mercy in KZN would go ahead as planned. The existing Durban International Airport will close in the first quarter of 2010, by which stage the new King Shaka Airport at La Mercy will be operational, he said. The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) will exclusively build, operate and own the airport and passenger terminals while Dube Tradeport company will own and manage the cargo terminals. Radebe said the new
R2.4 billion airport would cater for 7.5 million passengers annually and would be open for business in time for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. In addition to increased passenger numbers, it would cater specifically for air cargo, with cargo terminals, warehouses as well as an ‘agrizone’ that will involve agricultural products, processing and packaging. Radebe said the present airport was unable to accommodate the growing passenger numbers which were increasing at about 14% a year. Nor could DIA be further expanded. “The benefits for this integrated logistics platform, the commercial developments therein and the passenger facilities represent a new road that will bring prosperity to the area and benefit not only for KwaZulu-Natal but South Africa,” he said. Acsa managing director Monhla Hlahla said it was “imperative” that the construction of the project be accelerated. She said Acsa would assist the province with investigating how to attract international flights to Durban. Acsa has just announced a 30% increase in operating profit to R900 million for the past financial year.