Question NW706 to the Minister of Transport

Share this page:

24 March 2016 - NW706

Profile picture: Horn, Mr W

Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has any plans in place to expand the (a) domestic and (b) international (i) passenger and (ii) cargo capacity of the Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein over the next 10 to 15 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether marketing the specified airport as a (a) passenger and (b) logistics hub forms part of ACSA’s strategic medium- to long-term objectives; if not, why not; if so, in respect of each case (i) to which markets is it geared and (ii) what are the further relevant details of sector specific marketing; (3) whether any plans are underway to secure additional (a) passenger and (b) cargo flights both for the (i) domestic and (ii) international sectors at the specified airport over the medium-to-long term period; if not, why not; if so, in each case what are the relevant details; (4) whether any co-ordination to align the strategic objectives between (a) ACSA and (b) the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality exist to fully maximise the benefits of the massive investment into the Airport Node; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

  1. Bram Fischer International Airport will be expanded based on traffic demand
  2. . At this stage there is no requirement for further expansion. This can however change at any time if the local conditions change.
  3. Bram Fischer International Airport is not seen as a logistics hub and is not marketed as such. The airport forms a critical link in the network of airports in South Africa but mainly for passenger traffic.
  4. Traffic growth to and from Bram Fischer will depend on the viability of the market and the ability of the airlines to obtain the required yields. Growth in the foreseeable future is limited.
  5. ACSA will definitely work closely with the Mangaung Municipality to maximize business benefit for both organizations by developing the airport precinct and surroundings in an optimal manner.

Source file