Nelspruit jacks up facilities to retain int'l status

NELSPRUIT IS making an all-out effort to retain the local airport's international status, and to have the facility upgraded to meet the immediate requirements of the development of the Mpumalanga industrial sector.
Major renovations have started at the airport and the complaints of the civil aviation authority and the national transport department that landing strips, customs and immigration facilities were inadequate are being given priority attention.
Airport manager Wessie van der Westhuizen says that all the key components of what he terms the 'fast-track revamp' are in the process of being completed and that the airport has borrowed sophisticated X-ray and other cargo scanning equipment to beef up security.
The airport was never really planned as an international operation base, but has been forced to serve as one because of the incredible economic development this region has experienced in the past four years, he says.
At present the airport's short landing strip can accommodate only small passenger aircraft and handles daily flights to Swaziland, Maputo and major South African destinations. But this, he said, was being changed and was essential with the growth of cargo loads to and from Nelspruit.
The upgrading to meet international demands will, however, be an interim project until the planned Primkop international airport comes on line.
There have been delays in getting that project off the ground, so we've been forced to upgrade Nelspruit in the interim, says Van der Westhuizen.
Mpumalanga's industries as well as its tourism trade would be crippled if the province lost its only international airport. Once Primkop becomes a reality Nelspruit will revert to being a commuter and private club airport.
The upgrade includes new immigration control offices, customs facilities, a 24-hour police and customs post, and improved cargo handling facilities.
The preferred bidders on the Primkop site, the Primkop Airport Company, have paid 80% of construction costs for the renovation, says Van der Westhuizen.
BY LEONARD NEILL