Durban's Aerotropolis
King Shaka International Airport & Dube Tradeport
Durban's 'aerotropolis' - the King Shaka International Airport and the Dube Tradeport is a state-of-the-art development and comprises:
- the King Shaka International Airport;
- a trade zone;
- a support zone;
- an agri-zone; and
- a cyber port.
The King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) represents the development of an integrated passenger and freight airport without the significant constraints associated with Durban International Airport. The passenger terminal, with an initial 18 passenger aircraft stands and a size of 19,500m² and caters for both domestic and international travel.
The initial capacity allows for four million passengers per annum with opportunities for significant expansion. A runway length of 3,7km can accommodate the latest New Generation Large Aircraft (NGLA) including the A380 Airbus, with the space to expand to 4km.
The passenger terminal has expanded retail concession opportunities. Facilities for police, military, VIP, general aviation and aircraft maintenance operations are provided.
The primary objective of the airport is to provide for direct long-haul international flights to and from Durban and to accommodate the province's rapidly expanding domestic passenger business. Over and above tourism benefits, direct long-haul flights are anticipated to greatly assist the further growth and development of the KwaZulu-Natal and South African export industry.
The initial 19 500m² domestic and international passenger terminal, complete with retail concession opportunities, provide for an initial 18 passenger aircraft stands, with the capacity at the outset allowing for the throughput of some six million passengers per annum, with opportunities for significant future expansion.
The airport has been developed to handle 7,5 million passengers per annum by 2015 and more than 25 million passengers by 2060. Dube Tradeport strives to achieve a critical balance between economic development and environmental sustainability in its efforts to create an international trade platform capable of serving as a significant source of permanent and sustainable employment in KwaZulu Natal.
The Dube Tradeport comprises:
Trade Zone - 36ha of net developable land and 180 000m² of floor-space, comprising:
- A cargo terminal, providing warehousing and handling capacity for a variety of sectors, from electronics and automotive to clothing and textiles;
- A perishables centre, offering specialised cold storage, handling capacity, value addition, inspection and technical support for the perishables sector;
- Warehousing;
- Light manufacturing facilities;
- Office facilities for related business services.
Support Zone - 12ha of net developable land and 55 000m² of floor-space, comprising:
- Office complexes;
- Business parks;
- Commercial enterprises; and
- Hotels.
Agri-Zone - 80 ha of developable land, comprising:
- An extensive area for the growing of perishables of export quality;
- Packing facilities; and
- Associated training facilities.
IT Platform - comprising:
- An electronic trading platform, together with a range of value adding services designed to facilitate efficient technology-enabled transactions, trade and transport.
