Funding agency wants new Gauteng airport

Last week the Gauteng Funding Agency submitted a report to the portfolio committee on finance detailing its current and forthcoming projects for the year.

In the report, the agency said a commercial case was being put together for the development of a freight and logistic hub on the West Rand. It said the terms of reference had been framed for a feasibility study and the development of a commercial justification for the establishment of a regional airport.

The agency converts infrastructure project concepts that can be funded through public-private partnerships into reality.

The agency's head of communications, Aubrey Kitime, said: "With a proper marketing strategy the airport could provide a wide range of services and facilities for flight schools, light and sport aircraft, aviation-related manufacturers, aviation agents and skydiving clubs.

"The feasibility study and commercial case will [show] whether it is a viable project," Kitime claims.

Claims that a new airfield is needed

He said there were two airfields on the West Rand that were facing closure because of housing developments and hence the need to construct a new integrated airport. "This proposed airport should be viewed as a potential economic catalyst, which the region desperately needs," he said.

According to the agency, the airport is not intended to compete with existing airports. The final report on the study is expected by December.

But aviation experts have rejected the idea of the new airport, describing it as a waste of money. Athol Franz, editor of aviation magazine African Pilot, said the province had too many airports already.

These included Lanseria International Airport, Rand Airport, in Germiston, Grand Central, in Midrand, Wonderboom, in Pretoria, Heidelberg, Brakpan-Benoni, Krugersdorp and Springs, in Ekurhuleni, East Rand.

Franz said the Lanseria airport was spending millions on upgrading its runway to enable it to accommodate larger aircraft. "I don't see the feasibility for another airport. It's an absolute waste of money," he said.

Leon Dillman, chief executive of the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa, said the new airport was not needed. He said airports such as Rand, Grand Central and Wonderboom were under-utilised. "A better solution would probably be to extend Lanseria or Grand Central. To start building a completely new airport would be a waste of money," he added.

Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge