Ortia aerotropolis project gets ready for take-off

The R300-billion Aerotropolis
planned for Johannesburg’s
OR Tambo International
Airport (Ortia) may still be an
unfulfilled dream, but it is a
vital project if this country’s
aviation industry is to cater
for future volumes of traffic,
according to a major player in
the air cargo industry.
It is planned as a
business hub focused on the
development of industries.
These will range from
fast-cycle logistics and
aviation-related industries to
advanced manufacturing and
professional services. Other
proposed developments for the
aerotropolis include offices,
hotels, conference facilities,
retail stores, multimodal
transport facilities and
high-density residential
developments.
“It’s important from a
strategic perspective,” said
Garry Marshall, MD of Bidair
Cargo. “Without it we’re likely
to have serious congestion at
the airport. So these long-term
plans need to be put into place.”
This, however, is debated by
another senior executive of a
forwarding major.
“We already have
20 000 sqm of airfreight
premises at Ortia, and it’s
nowhere near full at the
moment.”
So, he asked, where will all
the volume come from?
“You can’t build a massive
infrastructure then go and
look for cargo. You can’t justify
it unless you can see where
the cargo volumes are coming
from.”
And, he contended, the
interest within the airfreight
industry was “not massive”.
But, nevertheless, the project
is under way. According to
Aerotropolis project manager,
Jack van der Merwe, the
feasibility study has been
completed.
He added that the project
team was waiting for
Mzwandile Masina, the new
mayor of Ekurhuleni, to find
his feet. “But we are ready to set
up an implementation office….
(and) we hope to start work in
the next six months.”