Wonderboom a cargo and logistics hub?

A full research programme
into the viability of bringing
Wonderboom Airport in
Pretoria up to international
standard, and longer term
making it a cargo and
logistics hub, is about to kick
off, according to Matthew
Gerstner, spokesman for
the mayor of Tshwane, Solly
Msimanga.
The first step in this
programme takes place this
week, as Msimanga and his
team meet with an extremely
high-level delegation
of overseas investors –
including hotel owners and
airline executives. “This,”
Gerstner told FTW, “will be
the start of the consultation
stage, which will also include
extensive meetings with all
the relevant sectors of the
local freight industry.
“The subject for this week’s
meeting will be to discuss
just what will be needed
going forward. Also to see
what the true potential for
the airport is, and what we
require to achieve that.”
And the preliminary
list of requirements just to
bring Wonderboom up to
international standard is
already extensive.
“There are numerous
hurdles for the city to
get over to achieve this,”
Gerstner said.
These include airport
control ground facilities;
safety in terms of aircraft
management; signalling
systems; ground stations for
aircraft; facilities for both
passengers and cargo; and
facilities for the necessary
airport equipment.
Approval will also have
to be gained from the SA
Civil Aviation Authority
(SACAA). “But,” Gerstner
said, “we already have a good
relationship with them, as
commercial aircraft flights
(Airlink) are already flying
into Wonderboom.”
But the Tshwane council
has no need to worry about
getting similar approval
from an outside owner.
“Wonderboom Airport and
all its facilities are owned by
the city,” said Gerstner. “And
it is a unique opportunity for
the city to set its own terms
for international travel and
logistics.
“It will be an enormous
job creator during the
construction phase. Add
to that the airport’s fulltime
staff once it becomes
operational, and all those of
businesses operating in the
airport and users calling at
and transporting into it.
“All in all, it will number
into the thousands.”
CAPTION
Feasibility study under way on cargo
prospects at Wonderboom Airport.