Construction at the Johannesburg International airport to accommodate the A380 Airbus will be completed by the end of 2008, the Airports Company South Africa said on Wednesday.
Chief airports planner Erik Kriel said the massive rehabilitation project, to cost about R10-billion over the next few years, has already begun.
”Due to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the upgrading began about three years ago, but there will be more massive upgrades to the runways and terminals,” Kriel said at a press conference at the airport.
”We expect traffic at the airport to double in the next nine to 10 years. The Airbus will carry about 550 passengers, so we have to accommodate for the arrival and departure of 550 passengers at a time.”
International traffic has increased by 6% in the past 10 years and is expected to increase by 12% in the next 10 years, Kriel said.
The central terminal building, international and domestic terminals, arrival and departure terminals, checkpoints as well as the gate and stand capacity will be upgraded.
The expansion and development of the retail mall and seating area will be completed by the end of next year.
”Outside, two air bridges will be installed, runways and taxiways will be expanded, we have started a working group with airside operators and provisions will be made for remote parking positions of the A380,” Kriel said.
”Everything at the airport will be extended and the bus station will be enlarged. We are also making provision for A380 carousels to ensure that the hundreds of passengers who get off the Airbus can access their luggage easily.”
The arrivals concourse will also be enlarged, and another 75 check-in counters will be built.
”And, yes, extra parking space will be built, but we were already working on that. I’m sure those of you who come to the airport often enough will be glad about this,” added Kriel.
He said the airport is being rehabilitated to accommodate the A380 because the Airbus is important for Johannesburg International airport.
”It means that more international tourists, composed mostly of European and Eastern tourists, will be coming here. There will be high loads and our international market would grow. And of course there’s the ‘wow’ factor.”
While the airport has much to gain from the arrival of the Airbus, South African industries also stand to benefit from the growth of the aircraft, said Hadi Akoum, vice-president of Airbus.
”The manufacturing of part of the wings and galleys is done in South Africa. We also have a strong relationship with South Africa regarding the military transporter,” Akoum said.
Cape Town International airport is the preferred diversion for the A380, and two more runways will be constructed there, Kriel said. — Sapa