/ 31 October 2007

Upgrade at Lanseria to relieve OR Tambo

Departure and arrival halls at Lanseria Airport outside Johannesburg are being upgraded to cater for increased passenger volumes and security requirements for scheduled operations as the airport expands to help relieve the pressure at OR Tambo International Airport.

Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, giving a written reply to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance’s Stuart Farrow, said that because of the difference in scale of operations and capability to handle large aircraft, it is unlikely that Lanseria will significantly reduce the need for airport expansion at OR Tambo.

“Whilst Lanseria is in the process of expanding its current infrastructure, it is expected to continue to fulfil a complementary role, rather than a full-scale alternative facility,” Radebe said.

He said that customs services are available at the airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week (10 officers), and that immigration services are also available 24 hours a day seven days a week (12 officers).

Scheduled international air services flying from there go to Mozambique — to Vilankulos, Inhambane and Maputo.

Kulula.com flies to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and George, with 34 flights a week from October 29 2007, increasing to 42 from December 17 2007.

Non-scheduled freight operators also use the airport flying Ilyushin76, Boeings 738/727 and Antonov 32 aircraft. — I-Net Bridge