Latest news with #AirportMasterPlan
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg Airport expansion plan: Strong support from local stakeholders
Msunduzi Municipality Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla speak on airport expansion plans. Image: Supplied THE Msunduzi Municipality has outlined ambitious plans to transform the Pietermaritzburg Airport into a regional hub that will boost local investment, tourism, and infrastructure growth. The airport is exploring additional flights in and out of the City, including to Cape Town and Gqeberha. The municipality said research conducted as part of its plans to expand the airport's operations and capacity, confirmed that there is demand for flights from the airport to these destinations. Currently, the airport handles four scheduled arrivals and departures daily, alongside charter and training flights from two flight schools. Msunduzi mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said: 'A research study has been conducted on two possible routes, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, for possible expansion. What we can say is that these have been assessed, and it has been found that there is a need.' 'This will be the airport of choice for activities including business people who want to get in and out without problems or traffic,' said the mayor. In a statement, the municipality revealed that the first draft of the revised Airport Master Plan has been completed, outlining a structured roadmap for short, medium, and long-term development. Among the improvements it intends to make are: ◆ Attraction of a second airline to improve route diversity and affordability. ◆ Terminal upgrades, including expanded office and retail spaces, modernised baggage collection systems, and digital check-in enhancements. ◆ Development of adjacent land for commercial use, including a proposed hotel, conference centre, and retail area designed to promote an aerotropolis model. ◆ Apron expansion to accommodate increased aircraft traffic. ◆ Establishment of a cargo terminal, including an agro-cargo facility and dry port to serve surrounding industrial areas like Mkondeni. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The City stated that these initiatives will enable the airport to become a modern, high-capacity facility that offers an enhanced passenger experience while supporting commercial and cargo operations. 'A comprehensive study conducted by the airport has confirmed significant untapped demand, which includes low-cost travel options for broader market access. 'Improved connectivity for local businesses and government travellers, who currently rely on distant airports like King Shaka, is also a priority. Additionally, there will be increased accessibility for tourists visiting the Midlands Meander and Drakensberg,' said the statement. The city is actively supporting route development by offering incentive programmes to attract new airlines and routes, including landing fee discounts, providing marketing support through municipal platforms to promote new routes, and participating in route development conferences to engage directly with airline planners. 'The expansion of Pietermaritzburg Airport stands to deliver widespread socio-economic benefits, including improved regional connectivity, increased tourism and business travel, job creation through construction, airport operations, hospitality, and retail,' the statement said. UMngeni Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas remarked that boosting the capacity of Pietermaritzburg Airport could prove to be a key catalyst for the economic growth of Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands area. 'Establishing a regional airport with greater capacity would bring significant benefits to the area. It would enable larger aircraft to land, increasing the number of visitors and expanding destination options, both of which would boost business and tourism. Melanie Veness, the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), stated that additional routes from Pietermaritzburg Airport will facilitate trade. 'New routes mean greater access to our market for business and tourism, and if the route is successful, it will translate into economic growth.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How the Msunduzi airport master plan could transform the local economy
The Msunduzi Municipality City Hall Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers The Msunduzi Municipality stated that the first draft of the revised Airport Master Plan has been completed to transform Pietermaritzburg Airport into a strategic aviation hub. The municipality stated that this is a broader economic development strategy to boost local investment, tourism, and infrastructure growth. The municipality added that a key milestone in this revitalisation effort was the recent hosting of the Pietermaritzburg Airshow, after more than a decade, in partnership with Fuze Aviation Academy. Nelisiwe Ngcobo, Msunduzi Municipality acting municipal manager, said that the response prompted the municipality to make this an annual event, reinforcing the city's re-emergence on South Africa's aviation map. 'Presently, the airport handles four scheduled arrivals and departures daily, alongside charter and training flights from two flight schools. Demand is steadily increasing, validating the airport's expansion strategy," Ngcobo said. The short to medium-term Plans (2026–2028) include: Attracting a second airline to improve route diversity and affordability. Terminal upgrades include expanded office and retail spaces, modernised baggage collection systems, and digital check-in enhancements. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Development of adjacent land for commercial use, a proposed hotel, conference centre, and retail area designed to promote an aerotropolis model. Apron expansion to accommodate increased aircraft traffic. Some of the long-term plans (2030–2035) include: Establishment of a cargo terminal, including an agro-cargo facility and dry port to serve surrounding industrial areas like Mkondeni. Runway extension to support larger aircraft, including low-cost carriers. Separation of general aviation (GA) from commercial operations for enhanced efficiency. 'A comprehensive study conducted by the airport has confirmed significant untapped demand, including improved connectivity for local businesses and government travellers who currently rely on distant airports like King Shaka,' Ngcobo said. There are also plans to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to explore extended benefits for flights to and from ACSA-managed airports. Ngcobo also outlined that jobs will be created through construction, airport operations, hospitality, and retail. Anthony Waldhausen, CEO of the Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC), welcomes the development of the airport and hopes that the project takes off as it will provide employment opportunities for local residents and boost new businesses as well. 'There needs to be an expansion of the airport to facilitate other airline companies that would provide competition, all of which would provide opportunities for cheaper flight costs for residents and businesses,' he said. He noted that this would also save travellers money, as they currently have to travel to King Shaka International Airport, causing congestion. 'The city would be able to benefit in the long term, which would see overall improvement of the city to the benefit of all stakeholders. We call on the Msunduzi municipality to involve all stakeholders in the overall plans and decision-making process of the project,' Waldhausen said. He added that in order for the project to succeed, the municipality needs to overhaul the water and electricity infrastructure throughout the municipality as it will bring an influx of tourists and families visiting family members. 'Local residents need to be prioritised for most of the employment opportunities as well,' he said
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg airport could become a regional aviation hub
The Msunduzi Municipality stated that the first draft of the revised Airport Master Plan has been completed to transform Pietermaritzburg Airport into a strategic aviation hub. . Image: Lethu Nxumalo. The Msunduzi Municipality stated that the first draft of the revised Airport Master Plan has been completed to transform Pietermaritzburg Airport into a strategic aviation hub. The municipality stated that this is a broader economic development strategy to boost local investment, tourism, and infrastructure growth. The municipality added that a key milestone in this revitalisation effort was the recent hosting of the Pietermaritzburg Airshow, after more than a decade, in partnership with Fuze Aviation Academy. Nelisiwe Ngcobo, Msunduzi Municipality acting municipal manager, said that the response prompted the municipality to make this an annual event, reinforcing the city's re-emergence on South Africa's aviation map. 'Presently, the airport handles four scheduled arrivals and departures daily, alongside charter and training flights from two flight schools. Demand is steadily increasing, validating the airport's expansion strategy," Ngcobo said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The short to medium-term Plans (2026–2028) include: Attracting a second airline to improve route diversity and affordability. Terminal upgrades include expanded office and retail spaces, modernised baggage collection systems, and digital check-in enhancements. Development of adjacent land for commercial use, a proposed hotel, conference centre, and retail area designed to promote an aerotropolis model. Apron expansion to accommodate increased aircraft traffic. Some of the long-term plans (2030–2035) include: Establishment of a cargo terminal, including an agro-cargo facility and dry port to serve surrounding industrial areas like Mkondeni. Runway extension to support larger aircraft, including low-cost carriers. Separation of general aviation (GA) from commercial operations for enhanced efficiency. 'A comprehensive study conducted by the airport has confirmed significant untapped demand, including improved connectivity for local businesses and government travellers who currently rely on distant airports like King Shaka,' Ngcobo said. There are also plans to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to explore extended benefits for flights to and from ACSA-managed airports. Ngcobo also outlined that jobs will be created through construction, airport operations, hospitality, and retail. The Northern Areas Residents and Ratepayers Association (NARRA) welcomed the airport initiative, stating that it was a long-overdue development and believed it was a strong step toward restoring Pietermaritzburg. Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of NARRA, said a functional and well-maintained airport can significantly boost tourism, improve connectivity, and stimulate local economic growth. He said that Pietermaritzburg has the potential to be more than just a stopover, and the airport can play a key role in that transformation. 'We hope the expected timeline for completion is adhered to and that the strategy truly aligns with positioning Pietermaritzburg as a viable regional hub as outlined. "Most importantly, we hope this announcement is not just a promise on paper, but one that is seen through with real action, consistency, and long-term maintenance. We look forward to watching progress unfold and stand ready to support initiatives that uplift our city,' Naidoo said.
