The Cape Town Aviation Infrastructure runway realignment project has not started because it has not been approved by the Economic Regulator yet.
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This is according to the Department of Transport (DoT), which clarified several points during questions at the National Council of Provinces.
The project is also not part of Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA’s) immediate project plans.
The DoT also stated that the reason why two runways will be replaced by one new runway is to free up space for apron and terminal development west of the current main runway (01/19), as per the approved Airport Master Plan.
This is necessary as the current passenger terminal area is landlocked between the current runway and the airport surface system, Engineering News reports. As a result, there is currently no space to expand the airport.
According to the DoT, the current peak capacity of the existing runway is limited to 30 landings and take-offs per hour due to a lack of a parallel taxiway, for which there currently is no space for.
The new proposed runway will increase the peak capacity to between 42 and 44 landings and take-offs per hour to accommodate future traffic demand. The department added that all of this is under review prior to ACSA’s revised investment decision.
The current runway (16/34) was subsequently proposed to be removed as the proposed new runway (18/36) and associated taxiways will be built in its place. The current main runway (01/19) will not be removed, as it will instead be used as a taxiway until there is enough space required for aircraft stands and terminal buildings.
Six runway options were reportedly considered during the preparation of the Airport Master Plan, and following a technical multi-criteria assessment, it was recommended to realign the current main runway.
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The DoT added that runway 16/34 will not be improved for cross-runway operations as it would have no operational benefits, stating that all aspects of the project will be introduced at a rate consistent with traffic demand and ACSA’s affordability.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the construction period of the project is unknown at this time, as it still awaits approval by the Economic Regulator. Once approved, ACSA will be able to finalise the implementation plan.
The department also has no plans to build a new airport in the Kalbaskraal area. ‘The planned runway realignment project is further intended to increase the capacity of the airport. Considering the existing demand of air travel within the greater Cape Town area, there is currently no compelling need to construct a new airport in the Kalbaskraal area.’
‘Furthermore, ACSA’s Recover and Sustain Strategy and the Economic Regulator permission process has identified a new process for Infrastructure Capital Programme funding in line with the traffic projections; and restoration of some of most capacity projects over the next five or ten years.’
Chikungaa noted that building an airport in Kalbaskraal would negatively impact the airspace capacity and safety operations of Cape Town International Airport.
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