Relocation of Durban International Airport to La Mercy

South African Airways (SAA) will move its Durban airport operations to the new King Shaka International Airport in La Mercy, scheduled to be ready in time for the 2010 World Cup.

The new airport will replace Durban International as the main airport in Kwa-Zulu Natal and is the first greenfield airport in South Africa.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) recently said that construction of King Shaka was progressing well.

The airport is part of the Dube Tradeport development under construction and includes a trade zone and IT platform. It is expected that the tradeport will inject new economic growth into the region and offer up to 270 000 new jobs directly and indirectly.

The airport’s opening passenger capacity will be eight million per year compared to only 4.7m currently handled by Durban International Airport.

King Shaka’s runway is 3,7km in length, capable of accommodating the world’s current largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, as well as the Boeing 747.

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