James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member For Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, delivered a speech at the FEDHASA Networking Event outlining some of the plans ahead for Cape Town, including a R7-billion airport upgrade over the next five years and a Draft Tourism Development Framework that will soon be up for public comment.
Vos discussed the Air Access initiative which the City is providing funding for in partnering with Wesgro. Since 2015, this initiative has contributed to landing 13 new routes and 18 route expansions, doubling the international seat capacity to 1.5-million, and growing international passenger numbers by 20% in 2017.
Vos also mentioned plans to further the upgrades made at the Cape Town International Airport, stating there is no better time for an upgrade. Several key infrastructural projects are planned for the next five years, including a new realigned runway, refurbishment of the Domestic Arrivals Terminal and expansion of the International Terminal.
The runway alone accounts for R3.93-billion of the budget investment. In its current position, the runway is too close to the Terminal building, and once realigned will allow for future terminal expansion as well as increase the the number of aircraft landings per hour and departures from 30 to 45 aircraft movements.
The airport will also be able to handle the New Generation Large aircrafts such as the Boeing 747-800 or A380, but the runway is not being built specifically for this aircraft.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s roll-out plans for e-Visas were also mentioned in Vos’ speech, which he said will make it easier for visitors to apply for South African visas and visit our city and bring more tourism opportunities.
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