RSA Aero sets sights on second private airport

Plettenberg Bay is poised for a significant upgrade to its modest airport, including a new terminal building and an extended runway capable of accommodating Boeing 737 aircraft. RSA.Aero, having secured the tender in February 2024, will oversee the development, leasing, and operation of the airport under an agreement with the Bitou Municipality.

The planned enhancements, funded by RSA.Aero, encompass a comprehensive upgrade of essential airport infrastructure. These include the construction of a new passenger terminal, the extension of the runway, and the expansion of the apron. The airport will also see improvements in fire, rescue, and emergency services, ensuring compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Category 6 standards, a classification that mandates airports to be equipped to handle aircraft such as the Airbus A318, A319, and Boeing 737-300.

In addition to these structural upgrades, the airport will benefit from new facilities, including a car park, service station, and additional aircraft hangars. RSA.Aero has adopted a zone-based development strategy, with the master plan dividing the airport into seven distinct zones. These include a new terminal precinct, a corporate aviation and logistics precinct, a solar farm, and a wastewater treatment facility, among others.

By July 2024, RSA.Aero’s subsidiary, Garden Route Aero (GRA), had begun the transition process with the Bitou Municipality to manage the airport. Garden Route Aero has also begun planned work on an airport midway between Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Paarl, which together with the Plettenberg airport, will provide the Cape with a local air traffic network that can reach most of the Cape region. The Winelands airport will start receiving traffic in 2027.

The handover in Plettenberg involves various airport-related activities, such as operational planning and civil infrastructure audits, with a particular focus on addressing the structural deterioration of the runway, as noted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Pavement specialists are set to assess the runway’s condition and determine the necessary remedial work.

Despite the challenges ahead, the partnership between Bitou Municipality and RSA.Aero is expected to bring substantial benefits to the region. Plettenberg Bay, a popular destination among affluent South Africans, stands to gain significantly from enhanced air travel infrastructure, which could boost the town’s appeal and stimulate its economy. Currently processing around 30,000 passengers annually, the airport’s capacity could increase to 150,000 by 2050 if the upgrades proceed as planned.

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