Preparations underway for upgrades at Cape Town International Airport

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24-07-2023
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CapeTownetc
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Despite resistance from informal housing occupants in the surrounding areas, preparations are underway for refurbishments at Cape Town International Airport.

Airports Company SA (Acsa) and the City of Cape Town (CoCT) signed a memorandum of agreement called the Symphony Way Development Corridor (SWDC) on 13 December 2013.

According to the Weekend Argus, Acsa claimed that this agreement aims to develop the land on the eastern and western sides of Symphony Way, including the Symphony Way Urban Park.

As part of this development, the CoCT has reportedly committed to relocating three informal communities – Freedom Farm, Malawi Camp and Blikkiesdorp – to formal housing, in alignment with the City’s human settlements directorate’s vision.

‘The relocation of these informal settlements is also essential for the future development of the airport because the current informal settlements are currently on land, which is required for the construction of the new realigned runway and a future second runway at Cape Town International Airport,’ Acsa said.

The City’s Acting Mayco Member for Human Settlements, James Vos, said that this project has faced challenges due to criminal activity and unlawful occupation, prompting the City and Acsa to work together to address these issues.

Thea Govindsamy from Acsa reportedly confirmed that a total of 3 200 state-subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) units are planned for construction on the Symphony Way Development Corridor.

‘All major projects were placed on hold due to the significant reduction in air traffic movements and passenger volumes. In the year 2019, Cape Town International Airport processed just under 11 million passengers. This will be reduced to 7.8 million passengers in 2022. Acsa currently forecasts a recovery to pre-Covid-19 passenger volumes in the year 2026,’ she said.

The refurbishment plans were put on hold due to the significant reduction in air traffic movements and passenger volumes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with an expected recovery to pre-pandemic passenger volumes in 2026, Acsa has now reevaluated its capital investment programme and recommenced some of the suspended expansion projects.

Govindsamy said Acsa is currently in consultation with the industry and regulating committee and will provide more detail on the project timelines of major capacity projects in the next three months.

‘Due to the confidentiality of this process, no further information may be provided at this stage,’ she said.

Govindsamy said Acsa assures that job creation will be a major focus during the airport’s refurbishment. The company acknowledges its social responsibility in promoting skills development, socio-economic growth and job opportunities through infrastructure projects.

‘A key measurable benefit of our infrastructure development is to ensure job creation. This is a key measurable outcome in Acsa’s strategic objectives and outcomes. Acsa is aware of its social responsibility in the promotion and facilitation of skills development, socio-economic development and job creation through the implementation of infrastructure projects,’ Govindsamy explained.

Alderman Vos claimed that the renovations at Cape Town International Airport will attract investments, leading to job creation and economic growth. The City also supports the Air Access Initiative, which aims to expand flight routes to boost tourism and trade.

‘The next exciting step is to grow Cape Town’s cargo footprint for export. Air cargo at Cape Town International Airport is a growing sector that holds huge benefits for the residents of Cape Town and the locally produced goods market. This is evident from the most recent statistics, which show that international cargo freight has grown by 52%,’ said Vos.

He added that the airport’s expansion will involve the construction of a new realigned runway, the refurbishment of the domestic arrivals terminal and the expansion of the international terminal. This growth is expected to contribute significantly to the local economy and the City’s enterprise and investment department is working closely with the airport to maximise the benefits for local contractors and communities.

‘This expansion will also make a meaningful contribution to the local economy. The City’s enterprise and investment department is working with the airport to maximise the benefits of this expansion for local contractors and communities,’ explained Vos.

Regarding concerns about potential road closures or inconvenience to motorists during the construction process, Vos clarified that the upgrade primarily focuses on terminal improvements to accommodate larger aircraft and passenger volumes, and all work will be contained within the aerodrome’s precinct, under the primary control of Acsa.

He claimed that the City has not received any applications for road closures or engineering submissions for road or intersection upgrades related to the airport project.

While the airport’s development plans are set to proceed, Acsa is engaging with the industry and regulatory committee to finalise project timelines for the major capacity projects.

More detailed information on the project’s progress is expected to be provided within the next three months, subject to confidentiality considerations.