Wanted: new airlines to call King Shaka

The hunt is on for new airlines to call at the recently opened King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) in Kwa Zulu Natal, according to Ahmed Bassa, public executive (aeronautical) of Dube TradePort – the body which runs the air cargo function. He recently attended an international aviation conference in Vancouver, Canada where he put forward his case for new business for Dube TradePort. “The conference was an ideal opportunity to sound out airlines on flying into King Shaka airport.” This would be a vital step forward for the new airport, as Emirates is currently the only scheduled international carrier using KSIA. The latest news from the airport is that the construction and fitting of the Dube TradeHouse has been completed. “This is now operational,” said Tim Barron, KZN airfreight manager for Safcor Panalpina, “and most of the tenants have moved in.” Safcor also recently experienced its first big trial run of import cargo, with a chartered Emirates Sky Cargo Boeing 747- 400F freighter aircraft landing at KSIA. The plane’s payload was a consignment of 110-tonnes of off-shore dredging equipment destined for onward shipping at the Durban harbour. “This went very well,” Barron added, “given the circumstances.” The other conversation piece is the construction of a much-noticed glass tunnel running from the TradeHouse across the road to the cargo terminal. “This bridge is due to be completed in October,” said Bassa. “It will then be opened to convey all the export air cargo from the agents through to the terminal building.”