Lanseria to become aerotropolis?
2012-11-26 09:06
Johannesburg - Lanseria International Airport will see dramatic infrastructural changes in the coming years as the new owners have announced plans to transform the region into a true airport city or aerotropolis, Tourism Update reports.
The new consortium of investors include Sandton-based Pan African infrastructure development fund manager Harith as well as a Black Economic Empowerment consortium which included the women's empowerment company Nozala; and the Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF), through the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).
Harith is heavily invested in the aviation industry in Africa and has financed two airports in Tunisia through the TAV Group.
Pule Molebeledi, Harith's investor relations and communications executive, told Tourism Update that they would seek to augment the plans of the City of Johannesburg to turn the area into an aerotropolis. The city first announced expansion plans for Lanseria in 2009 after an extensive study into the possible expansion of South African airports. In March this year, executive mayor, Parks Tau, restated these plans in his 2012 state of the city address.
The airport's new owners have now approved a capital expenditure plan allowing for drastic infrastructural improvements, which could make an aerotropolis a real possibility.
In anticipation of growing traffic and aviation demand, Lanseria has commenced construction of a new 3km long runway that will be able to accommodate certain wide-bodied aircraft. Further investment into infrastructure, including upping retail antes and parking facilities is also in the pipeline.
In the meantime the airport's CEO Gavin Sayce said in a statement that its management team and philosophy would remain unchanged.
