OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports – revamps in the pipeline

OR Tambo International Airport has unveiled the first phase of a multi-billion-rand development plan for its Western Precinct. Similarly, Cape Town International Airport is set for an R7 billion upgrade with a new runway, and new international and domestic departure lounges.

Construction on OR Tambo is expected to begin at the end of this month and will feature new offices, retail space, hotel and conference facilities and additional transit-related services.

General manager of the OR Tambo International Airport, Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana, said the plan was to unlock the development potential of 180,000m2 of bulk for a mixed-use development on the northern precinct of the airport.

The development is expected to improve the connectivity from the Gautrain station to existing hotels and facilities via pedestrian friendly connections to the international terminal building.

The first phase buildings will comprise corporate head office for Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and common-use facilities such as a fitness centre, canteen and creche.

The R7 billion renovation on Cape Town International Airport is expected to start in early 2020 with a completion date set for 2023.

ACSA spokesperson, Deidre Davids, told Business Insider that precautions will be taken to minimise annoyance for passengers, and to ensure that flights can still depart and land as the construction goes ahead.

ACSA said that the international terminal will soon reach capacity, so a second terminal is to be constructed at a cost of R2.8 billion.

The highlight of the project will be a R688-million expansion of the domestic arrivals terminal. The baggage hall will be upgraded to accommodate additional baggage collection carousels, and the meet-and-greet area will be reconfigured.

The 3 500-metre runway will also be realigned to allow larger aircraft – such as the Airbus A380 – to land at the airport. This part of the project, due to cost R3.9 billion, also provides for the future expansion of the airport terminal towards the runway, to accommodate additional aircraft.