From flight codes to passenger capabilities and air traffic control instructions, numbers play a critical role in the aviation industry. At Airports Company South Africa, the numbers are also a point of great pride.
The company owns and manages South Africa’s nine principal airports that have facilitated more than 520 000 aircraft landings and nearly 35 million passengers in the past year. Approximately 300 000 people are employed directly or indirectly at the company’s network of airports. High among the company’s major achievements must be the construction and commissioning of King Shaka International Airport in an impressive 32 months.
The company is also a proud management and development partner of airports in Brazil and India. These successes reinforce confidence that Airports Company South Africa is a world-class airport owner, developer and manager, destined for even greater success.
The company is proudly charting the way for the African aviation industry to grow, lead and even redefine. As South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy in 2014, Airports Company South Africa continued to make strides around the globe. In February, as part of its co-management of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, a new, integrated terminal was opened and now allows the airport to handle more than 40 million passengers and 650000 tonnes of cargo a year. The airport’s retail footprint was also increased to 18 580m2.
In May 2014, Airports Company South Africa, as part of a consortium, completed capacity enhancements at Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, Brazil, in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This included improvements to the operational, safety, security and environment aspects of the airport, in line with the relevant legislation in Brazil. The company has also undertaken to transfer skills and share experience with the Brazilians on airport operational excellence over the next five years. Closer to home, Airports Company South Africa recently signed an agreement with Ghana Airports Company to provide advisory and technical consultancy services on all airport-related matters as Ghana pursues an intensive airport expansion programme.
Airports Company South Africa is steadfast in pursuing its strategic objectives, aiming to maximise its association with BRICS nations and to pursue opportunities in Africa and other developing countries to strengthen and expand its footprint. Growth in Africa is crucial and attention to the continent will enable the company to provide technical expertise and knowledge to up-skill and advance the human resources capabilities in Africa’s aeronautical infrastructure landscape.
Key to the company’s success is Africa’s largest and busiest airport, OR Tambo International. Last year it provided a logistics platform for the movement of more than
300 000 tonnes of cargo and facilitated the throughput of nearly 19 million passengers, through 206 000 air traffic movements. The airport currently facilitates travel to and from more than 80 destinations and services some 50 airlines. OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka international airports, as well as the six other regional airports owned by Airports Company South Africa, provide unique connectivity, accessibility and locational benefits for any organisation wishing to do business in the SADC region, sub-Saharan Africa and BRICS nations, as well as air cargo links across Africa and the rest of the world.
Unathi Batyashe-Fillis is group spokesperson for Airports Company South Africa