Mpumalanga's international airport 'given the nod'

THE Primkop site has been given the go-ahead by the Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Council for the building of the province's first international airport, 25km from Nelspruit. The council has approved plans for the R300m development following four years of controversy and negotiations in which another site at Hazyview - backed by Daimler Benz Aerospace and the Kruger Park International Development Company - was also under consideration. The new airport - situated at the Primkop site near White River north-east of Nelspruit and about 20km from the Kruger Park - will serve the dual purpose of providing a passenger service for tourists and others visiting the region, while providing a cargo hub for the vast agricultural export operations and developing industrial sector in the lowveld and be closer to the Maputo Development Corridor. The development - to be undertaken by ABB Energy Ventures (Abbev), a subsidiary of the global ABB technology group, who had bought out the project's original developer Abe Sher - is currently in the process of identifying a black empowerment joint venture partner. According to the ABB's regional manager: airport technology Southern Africa, Walter Ringelmann, the first phase of the project will involve the construction of the terminal building, 2,6km runway, control tower and access roads and will be able to accommodate all regional aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 727s and A320s. "It is envisaged that the final phase will see the construction of a 3,8km runway which will be able to accommodate larger Boeing aircraft flying long-haul trips from Europe." Ringelmann noted however that further developments would depend on demand from business and tourist travellers. Commenting on the announcement, the chairman of the Mpumalanga chapter of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and marketing director of Mfafa Safaris, Guy Briggs, said the airport would bode well for tourism in the province. "We in the industry are pleased that a functional and larger airport is being built to cater for increased tourism and business in the area." Briggs added however that he felt Hazyview would have been a better location for the airport as it would have generated more bed nights than the area around the proposed site at Primkop. Construction of the airport's first runway and terminal will commence in October and is scheduled for completion in April next year. (Leonard Neill/Miguel de Sousa)