Lanseria International Airport in the northwest of Johannesburg shared with Travel News its newest developments to make the airport a more accessible and attractive destination for tourists and airlines.
The new developments include the establishment of new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, the construction of new Fixed Based Operators (FBO) facilities and a fuel farm/depot, as well as an upgrade of Taxiway Alpha.
The new MRO facilities are estimated to cost R500 million, with construction slated to begin in phases in 2026 and the last phase expected to be completed in 2031.
In parallel, the construction of new FBO facilities is also estimated to cost R500 million, scheduled to commence in 2026, and with a development period of five years. FBOs are organisations with the rights to operate at the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fuelling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and similar services
The new fuel farm/depot will add approximately six million litres of Jet A1 fuel and Avgas to the current one-million-litre farm capacity. The project will cost about R140 million, with construction scheduled to commence in the 2024/2025 financial year and completion expected by 2027.
The upgrade of Taxiway Alpha will convert it from a Code C to a Code E-type aircraft taxiway. This means that the airport will be able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. The estimated cost of this upgrade is R200 million. The project is currently undergoing geotechnical assessments and topographical surveys. The development period is projected to be two years, with completion expected in 2027.
Lanseria International Airport CEO, Rampa Rammopo told Travel News that the MRO and FBO facilities and the fuel farm would position Lanseria as a one-stop-shop for all aircraft needs, potentially drawing more airlines to the airport. He believes these improvements will address many of the current limitations that may be deterring airlines from operating at the airport.
FlySafair is currently the only airline operating commercial services at the airport, with several daily flights to Cape Town and Durban. But Rammopo is hoping to attract other big players such as SAA and Airlink.
“The comprehensive development projects are set to substantially increase the airport's capacity to handle additional volumes of traffic by attracting more airlines and expanding the number of routes offered, particularly into other parts of Africa.
“As more routes are established, Lanseria International Airport will play a pivotal role in making Southern Africa and Africa as a whole more accessible. This enhanced connectivity is expected to attract a higher volume of international visitors, boosting the tourism sector in South Africa.”
Furthermore, Lanseria’s finalisation of partnerships with local tourism destinations and enterprises is expected to foster greater collaboration within the tourism industry.
“These partnerships are designed to increase visitor numbers to various tourism establishments, thereby driving growth in the tourism sector. The improved infrastructure and expanded flight routes will facilitate easier and more efficient travel for tourists, enhancing their overall experience and encouraging repeat visits,” said Rammopo.
The airport’s current strategy for increasing commercial services and flights is focused on increasing domestic routes and attracting regional air traffic services.
“This includes adding new routes to key regional destinations such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Mauritius, to name a few,” Rammopo added.
As an international airport, Lanseria offers 24-hour government-related services such as customs and immigration.
