Local economies benefit from regional airport investment
This was highlighted by KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube at post budget business breakfast in Durban last week
KWAZULU-Natal regional airports are an important tool to boost local economies.
This was highlighted by KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube at post budget business breakfast in Durban last week.
She said plans are in place to turn the region into a hive of activity through the KZN Integrated Aerotropolis Strategy and the 50 year Durban Aerotropolis Master Plan which will benefit neighbouring municipalities such as Ilembe, King Cetshwayo and Zululand.
‘Regional airports are envisioned to increase accessibility of our regional economies by both domestic and international travellers,’ the MEC said.
She said the province continues to provide support for Mkhuze Airport and is undertaking infrastructure upgrades at Margate and Pietermaritzburg airports.
Last year the Department said it had invested R33-million for the Mkhuze runway rehabilitation project.
‘Public land around airports offers an outstanding development opportunity for investment and the possibility of securing funding for capital expenditure on airport infrastructure,’ the MEC said.
Dube-Ncube announced that the province will be hosting an International Investment Conference in September aimed at promoting and attracting investment into the province.
‘The Durban Aerotropolis is ideally situated to leverage and nestle itself in the supply chain link, to support fast moving aviation-orientated firms to speedy connectivity to their suppliers and customers, nationally, the SADC region and worldwide,’ said Dube-Ncube.
The development of the aerotropolis, an airport city, will be centred around King Shaka International airport, strategically placed between the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
‘We believe that aviation plays a central role in supporting the tourism sector and can also support and facilitate trade of high valued time-sensitive goods.
‘It is therefore our view that regional airports can play a much larger role in economic development.
‘These airports play a critical role in emergency medical, disaster, fire and rescue flights, freight aircraft, fuel supply to aircraft, pilot training, firefighting training, anti-poaching exercises, tourism and other aviation activities,’ she added.
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