Cape Town International Airport will undergo extensive upgrades and expansions to the tune of R7 billion.
Construction is expected to start early next year, with the upgrades and expansions set to be completed by 2023.
The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) plans to build a new runway, as well as new domestic and international departure lounges. Acsa presented the plans for the expansion, which it feels is necessary for meeting the growing demands and traveller traffic at the airport, late last year, .
Image: ACSA
According to Business Insider, Acsa will be realigning Cape Town International’s 3,500 metre-long runway to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380, currently the world’s largest passenger airline.
The runway realignment will reportedly cost just half of the R7-billion budget at R3.9 billion, with the restructuring allowing for further expansions later on and the idea that the airport terminal can actually be expanded towards the runway, which will be realigned further away. Such an expansion would then accommodate more aircraft as well.
Acsa claims to look forward to the airport lounge renovations, mostly, with the domestic arrivals terminal renovations expected to cost R688 million. Extra baggage carousels will be added and the meet-and-greet area will be rearranged in the newly-expanded lounge.
The company expects the international terminal to reach capacity very soon and will be building a second one to better accommodate and manage the increasing traveller influx. This will cost R2.8 billion.
It was reported that Acsa will be taking precautions to ensure minimal disturbance and inconvenience for travellers, and the company is intent on making sure that all flights depart without delay during the process, despite construction.
Acsa spokesperson Deidre Davids told Business Insider, ‘While we will do our best to limit the disruption and impact on passengers we ask in advance that airport users please bear with us – any discomfort experienced will be well worth it.’
Western Cape Economic MEC Beverly Schafer expects this upgrade and expansion to generate R620 million-worth of revenue for the province.
Featured image: ACSA
