In order to improve the transport infrastructure in and around Durban for the 2010 Soccer Finals, the South African Government together with the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), have decided to construct a new international airport for the city. The new King Shaka International Airport will be situated at La Mercy, approximately 30km north of Durban. As soon as King Shaka International Airport is fully operational, the old Durban International Airport will be decommissioned; this is due to take place by the first quarter of 2010.
The existing Durban International Airport is currently the smallest of South Africa’s three international airports. Studies have indicated that the existing Durban International Airport terminal is too small to handle the growing tourist and commercial trade through Durban. Passenger growth at Durban International Airport has doubled since 2005 from two million to four million passengers a year. With the 2010 Soccer Finals looming large, important decisions had to be made; hence the construction of King Shaka International Airport.
The King Shaka International Airport was named after the famous Zulu warrior king. This is because Durban, South Africa’s third largest city, is located in the heart of the Zulu lands.
The King Shaka International Airport will integrate both passengers and freight. This will subsequently eliminate any operational and logistic constraints experienced at the old Durban International Airport.
The passenger terminal at the King Shaka International Airport will have around 18 passenger aircraft stands and a size of 19,500m², which will cater for both domestic and international travel (six million a year). The initial capacity of King Shaka International Airport will allow for 7.5 million passengers on an annual basis with opportunities for future expansion, should it be required.
The runway of the King Shaka International Airport will be 3,7km long in order to accommodate the latest New-Generation Large Aircraft (NGLA) which includes the A380 Airbus, with expansion options. The passenger terminal at King Shaka International Airport will have greatly expanded retail concession opportunities.
The King Shaka International Airport will also boast facilities for police, military, VIP, general aviation and aircraft maintenance operations.
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