OR Tambo International Airport (Ortia) is planning a major expansion of its cargo facilities, with the proclamation of the first phase of 43 ha of industrial zoned land set to be completed during 2017.
“Right now our cargo facilities are running at close to capacity, so we have started to engage with the sector about its infrastructure development needs,” said Ortia general manager, Bongiwe Pityi.
Speaking at the three-day Air Cargo Africa 2017 conference in Johannesburg this week, she admitted that the Airports Company of South Africa had not previously understood the full cargo value chain. “We are now working much more closely with industry stakeholders to discover what their particular needs are,” she said.
For example, said Pityi, several stakeholders have expressed a need for expanded cooling facilities which are essential for the pharmaceutical industry.
“We have major capital expenditure in mind with regard to a midfield cargo terminal, but there is also going to be significant development of the western precinct of OR Tambo International Airport. This development will create opportunities for a variety of players in the air cargo value chain to exploit the burgeoning aerotropolis around the airport,” she commented.
