GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - To be the most sought-after partner in the world for the provision of airport management solutions by 2025 is the vision of ACSA (Airports Company of South Africa) and the George airport manager Brenda Vorster for the Garden Route and George Airport.
"But we need every business and individual to submit letters and requests to upgrade George airport to an international airport," she said to a bumper packed Mossel Bay Business Chamber network at Moore offices in Diaz Office Park.
"George airport is one of the gateways for international tourists to easily access the Garden Route, but in order for this to happen, the airport needs major upgrades and funds," Vorster added.
She was the guest speaker at the network and she gave a very positive speech regarding the growth and possibilities regarding passenger growth as well as increase in cargo.
According to analysis the global traffic surpassed eight billion passengers in 2017. It is predicted that air cargo will continue to rise annually at an average of 7.4% worldwide and passenger movements to increase at a steady rate of 2.3% worldwide.
ACSA contributed R9.5 billion to the SA economy in 2017 and of this R107 million was contributed to George and surroundings. ACSA also supported R2.8 billion of income to workers in South Africa of which George contributed R42 million.
Paul Kruger (chairman of the Business Chamber), Brenda Vorster, Thys Giliomee (municipal manager), Elanie Sims and Fanus Truter (directors at Moore Mossel Bay).
The airport was built to handle 600 000 passengers per year. During the 2014/15 period the airport handled between 300 000 and 400 000 passengers. For 2019/20 they are on to 835 000 and the airport is bursting at its seams.
During December 2019 they handled in excess of 97 000 passengers. Before too long the one million target will be surpassed "Although we are handling the same number of flights per week, the aircrafts have become bigger to handle the increase in passenger numbers," she added
She mentioned that Mossel Bay municipal manager, Advocate Thys Giliomee, has been instrumental in the advocating for an international airport at George. George Municipality has also bought into the Route Development programme to attract international flights.
Talks are already underway with India, China, Germany and other countries.
According to Vorster the existing airport is sufficient to land bigger aircraft, but the challenge is that more space is needed for take-off.
She mentioned the smart city concept as well as the possibility for a metro to attract more business to the area. There is talks of acquiring farm land over the next five to 10 years for expansions. She also mentioned the Destiny Africa project with conference facilities more than 10 times the size of the Sandton City convention centre.
The first R100 million has already been allocated for extension to the existing building, but much more is needed.
Vorster requested every business member to send an email to brenda.vorster@airports.co.za as support for the expansions of the airport as well as the increase in flights and cargo transport.
Join the Chamber for their AGM at the Tarentaal Conference Centre, ATKV Hartenbos on Tuesday, 10 March at 18:00.
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