Time is flying – pardon me the pun. But barely seven months ago we were talking about blowing new life into the Pietermaritzburg Airport. Today we are unveiling the upgrades to one of the most important economic engines of the 21st century: the local airport.
Passenger numbers across the globe are expected to double by 2020 and a burst of activity in airport expansions is experienced around the world. Approximately 4.5 million people work on airport sites globally and airports can play a strategic role in the economic development of a local community. In fact there is a new saying that “if it is not happening, they are nowhere near an airport.”
If the province’s capital city does not have an effective and efficient airport then it is certainly not happening. I am one of the people who gave up on using the Pietermaritzburg Airport. I could no longer risk missing important meetings because airplanes could not land in Pietermaritzburg due to bad weather.
Feasibility study
A comparison of airports in towns and cities, such as George, Kimberley, East London and Port Elizabeth highlights the potential of the underutilised Pietermaritzburg Airport. The poor utilisation was found to be the result of operational difficulties relating to the landing and take-off of aeroplanes.
The difficulties were caused mainly by:
- The presence of the World’s View Ridge
- The weather conditions
- Length of the runway
- Absence of precision approach instrumentation systems.
The 2009 year was a particularly bad year weatherwise. A total of 123 flights had to be diverted to Durban because the aeroplanes could either not land or take off. The total number of aircraft arrivals declined from an average of 585 per month in 2003 to an all time low of 420 per month in 2009: a drop of 8.6% per annum.
A reduction in passenger numbers equates to a loss in potential revenue from passenger levy fees and landing fees. It therefore has become crucial to increase the number of passengers who use Pietermaritzburg Airport.
The reliability of the daily flights has improved dramatically. History was made at the Pietermaritzburg Airport in June this year when Airlink designed and implemented the first Global Navigation Satellite System (GNNS) within the borders of South Africa.
Together with the investments by the Msunduzi Municipality to upgrade the navigation lighting systems, a 46% improvement has been experienced. As a result Airlink re-started its Quad Jet services into Pietermaritzburg from July. Like the presentation today indicated, passenger numbers have since increased from 273 seats per day to 401 seats, while the number of daily return flights also increased from 4 to 5.
As a general aviation airport the Pietermaritzburg Airport also caters for private aircraft landings and departures. In addition it provides hanger space, refuelling facillities, a car hire area, office accommodation and parking, while the land adjancent to the airport is available for industrial and commercial development. In 2006, 189 jobs were derived from the operation of the airport and R19.2 million generated in salaries and wages. The value added to GDP was estimated at R23.9 million.
Provincial injection
These factors were all considered by the provincial government before a decision was taken to invest R40 million for essential upgrades at the airport. The money will stay in the provincial fiscus and will only be disbursed on satisfactory proof of progress. It is an earmarked amount for infrastructure development, and not for the airport’s operations. The most compelling upgrade that needs to be made, is the resurfacing of the runway and taxiway. Potholes on a runway are a sure way to keep potential passengers away.
Increasing passenger numbers
We are positive about the prospects of the Pietermaritzburg Airport, especially in the light of the opening of the new King Shaka International Airport:
- The previous Durban International Airport was only 85km from Pietermaritzburg CBD whereas the new KSIA is now approximately 105km, 20km further from Pietermaritzburg. Time is money: travelling between KSIA and Pietermaritzburg, especially at peak times, is time consuming.
- Time spent at the Airport: booking in and waiting times are much shorter at small airports.
Freight traffic
If managed properly the Pietermaritzburg Airport can become far more than a taxi-rank for passengers. The possibilities for freight traffic are excellent:
- perishable horticultural agricultural products for export or to Gauteng
- high value low mass industrial products
- courier and other secure fast delivery services
Future prospects
- Currently Pietermaritzburg Airport is not geared for freight traffic and virtually none occurs. A successful freight operation requires cold storage, warehousing and loading facilities. This would involve further capital expenditure.
- Further developments, which will require more funding, include the construction of a longer runway. This would enable the airport to receive short haul aircraft, used by most of the cheaper airlines.
- There is a strong demand for additional hanger space at the airport. Potentially this could provide an important source of revenue in the form of lease and other payments
- Future growth will also include the development of the land adjacent to the airport for industrial and commercial development.
Across the world the private sector is building, operating and owning airports to varying degrees. Leveraging between government and the private sector to amplify potential gains at the Pietermaritzburg Airport can only bring benefits to KwaZulu-Natal and its citizens. Let us explore this further.
The upgrading of the airport, coupled with the restoration of confidence of previous customers will add to the economic development and growth of Pietermaritzburg. This will certainly upgrade the status of the Capital City.
We wish the Msunduzi Municipality and all stakeholders well with this endeavour.
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Treasury
