Big airport expansion in Botswana
Hi there, aiming at accomodating planes up to the size of an 747, the Department of Civil Aviation in Botswana is now planning to upgrade the international airport of Gaborone. Read the full story by Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone): It is only a matter of time before bigger aeroplanes such as Boeing 747 land at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKA). The big planes will come to Gaborone after the Department of Civil Aviation completes an expansion of the airport. The Deputy Director at Civil Aviation Sekgele Kolo told Mmegi that among other things, the airport runway is to be increased by a kilometre to accommodate bigger planes. "We shall also install a parallel taxi for the full length of the runaway. The runway is 4,000 metres," Kolo said. The terminal building will be expanded with more facilities added to the existing ones. Kolo said the new additions have been necessitated by the increase in air traffic. He said that the existing facilities did not allow bigger planes to land at the airport. "You would recall that bigger planes such as the Boeing 737 used to land at SSKB but there were restrictions imposed on them one of which was that they were not allowed to land while they were carrying a full load. With the envisaged improvements, there would be no restrictions imposed anymore." He said market research done by the Department of Civil Aviation indicates that there is a serious need for the expansion of the airport. He said the volume of traffic at the airport has increased tremendously with private operators and commercial airlines asking the department for more space. "We are responding to this great demand. There is a great potential," he said. Kolo said he was hopeful that the envisaged improvements would bring SSKIA to the standards of reputable airports of the same status in the region. The expansion project is expected to be complete by the end of NDP 9 in 2009 with construction scheduled to start next year. Kolo could not say how much the entire construction would cost because the project is to go for tender.But it is expected that the project would run into millions. At the moment, plans for the expansion of the runway are at the design stage. The terminal building refurbishment plans are at the review stage. The General Manager of Air Botswana Lance Brodgen said he was extremely happy that the runway would be enhanced. "This is good for the country. The total aviation enhancement is good for business, tourism, travel and leisure. The sooner this is done the better," he said adding that this is an absolute priority. Brodgen said he would not say if Air Botswana would purchase a bigger plane to take advantage of the expansive and better facilities. "I am not a shareholder. I wouldn't know what the shareholders are thinking and as you know, we are going to privatise." A bigger and better equipped airport is likely to attract big and rich operators. Brogden said the expansion of the airport should not be seen to be bringing stiff competition for Air Botswana. Rather, the only way to look at the expansion is that it is good for the country. "Aviation is not an end in itself. Business needs a better airport and tourism needs a better airport. We are running a good little business. A bigger airport is a priority." The Department of Tourism is equally excited about the development. "The airport is an important tourism infrastructure development. With the airport extended, we can market Botswana better. Bigger planes will be able to fly directly into Botswana," said Wazha Tema, the Deputy Director in the Department of Tourism. He revealed that Gaborone receives the highest number of tourists coming to Botswana. "In 2010, the World Cup is coming to South Africa and we must position ourselves. Airports in Maun and Kasane should also be expanded," Tema said. Cheers, Felix