GEORGE NEWS - A number of upgrades to be done at the George Airport are in the planning stage. This is according to Senzeni Ndebele, a spokesperson for Acsa, who replied to enquiries made by a concerned flyer and resident of George.
Space constraints at George Airport is an increasing issue for users, and information about plans to address them is scant. The resident, who says one hears about expansion projects but sees nothing happening, brought a number of related issues to the attention of Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
Sealed lips
The reader says there have been rumours of a space optimisation project, but Acsa and the local airport authority are keeping sealed lips about upgrades and expansions at George Airport, while plans for upgrades at airports like Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London are read about year after year.
Ndebele said a project to create more space to accommodate passengers in the departure lounge is on the cards. "This will be done by relocating the Fancourt Lounge, which is located downstairs, to upstairs. This move will enable the airport to create a new boarding gate, bringing the boarding gates to four," he said. "The new area will also be able to accommodate approximately 50 seats for passengers to use while waiting to board their flights."
Traffic
The reader also noticed a tender advertisement for town planning and design on Acsa's website. (GRJ RFP 17/2017 was closed on 27 November 2017: "Request for proposal for a consultant appointment to provide town planning and urban design services for a period of 18 - 24 months at Airports Company South Africa's George Airport.")
He asks if this will include terminal expansion and much-needed parking. Better traffic flow in and out of the airport is also needed, as the entrance is becoming dangerous, with parked cars lined up along the road blocking the visibility of motorists leaving the airport.
Traffic flow issues will affect first-time visitors who are not familiar with the airport entrance, the road or directions.
Ndebele said the town planning tender has been awarded to a company that is currently assisting Acsa with the re-zoning of precinct 5.
"The role of the company is to assist Acsa in ensuring that precinct 5 can become an area that is used for commercial purposes. An impact assessment on traffic flow at the airport will be conducted on all landside areas [ares open to the public].
Accommodation
Ndebele said that Acsa currently has rights to develop a hotel and fuel station within the airport precinct.
"Talks to bring this to fruition are at an advanced stage," he said.
According to Ndebele, everything mentioned is still in the planning stage. Once on-site work begins, an official media announcement will be made.
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