Recommended limit is 55db This is not the airport's fault at all - instead it is the CAASA's problem. All passenger aircraft operating within RSA need to be Stage 3 noise compliant (a standard adopted worldwide to cut down on noise polution), and AFAIK stage 3 = 55dB. Cargo and military aircraft however are exempt of this rule oweing to their mostly non-scheduled operations and remote operations bases. I agree noise polution is a major problem in aviation, but if every non-Stage 3 aircraft in RSA was grounded all hell would break loose. It is unfortunately a fact of life. With regard to the noise level of the A380 it is infact quiter than most modern aircraft in service today - so if KSIA is built with wide enough taxiways and parking areas it's the airlines choice to send it KSIA or not. I wonder who those market gardeners are down at the southern end taking up valuable runway space ? That land would only free up 400m as Dysan1 said before (there is no room to the northern end of the rwy thanks to the canal), and even then a 2,4km long rwy would not suffice for a fully-loaded B767, B777, B747, A330 or A340 to get to Europe non-stop. Furthermore extending DUR's existing rwy so far south would result in a dangerous approach and climb out over Prospecton et al. I totally agree that KSIA would be a real pain for anyone living in Mt Edgecome (or that general area), but the fact of the matter remains - KSIA has been tentatively on the cards since the 70s and everyone at Umhlanga & Mt Edegecome knew that when they zoned, built and bought resedential real estate there. Besides if I lived in the aforementioned areas aircraft flying lowish overhead would be an insignificant concern reltive to the R10bn low/middle-cost housing development going up but a few km away... I don't want to sound like I'm dismissing the concerns raised be you at all 'Guest'. I'm sure the whole project is not 100% kosher, but it is unfortunately the only viable option. DUR cannot be extended to meet the needs of the cities' projected growth in toursim and air traffic (it would suffice for another 10yrs max - but after that a move would be essential), and given the lack of a 2nd suitable site for the new airport I'm afraid it looks a dead ringer for La Mercy. What I think will be the deciding factor is the apparent desire for the project to go ahead from the government - and we all know what the government wants the government pretty much gets (just look at the Gautrain - KSIA pales in comparison to that controversy). Sean

I dont want to sound frightfully rude...but what is your interest in keeping the airport at bay? why are u so overly critical of each and every aspect of it? what is it that u will be losing as a result of its construction? For from the tone of ur posts, it sounds like it is a very very personal issue

Also...have u thought that alot of imformation regarding the project is confidential, just like any large project, and they will not give it out to just anyone?

Ok guys , lets not start a pissing match here alright? Ok, wats up with this guy trying to dis KSIA, you must be from joburg, & getting jealous that KSIA is going to be the biggest airport in AFRICA & Jburg will loose its status as the "flying hub" of the country. In all honesty , I doubt JNB will ever loose that status , no matter how big Durban airport becomes , Johannesburg International will always have the bigger income of international traffic. Remember , JNB is a huge market , especially for business travellers. It will take at least half of all JIA flights, & since KSIA is going to be the first airport in the world to be specificly built for the Airbus A380 (super jumbo) it should be capable of handling flights direct from Durban to Perth/Sydney. I don't get that , first specific A380 airport? JNB is one of the first airports ready for the A380 , the ramps have just been built and taxiways are almost finished. Many airports are A380 ready...If you mean specifically BUILT for the A380 I highly doubt that. Please elaborate... I do agree with some points in your post , you make good logic about durbans tourism. But lets see now. Which airlines do you think would logically start up to KSIA? I could see BA going to KSIA , Air India (definitely , considering the Indian population) , VS maybe , perhaps LH and some middle eastern airlines such as Emirates , Qatar , etc. But this is nowhere near to what JNB or CPT handle. IMO , even if airlines DO go to KSIA , many will stay at JNB or CPT as well as going to Durban. I doubt an airline like LH would give up JNB and CPT and move to Durban independantly just like the biggies such as VS , BA , EK etc , catch my drift? I must say , charter flights from the UK and Germany will soar into Durban as well. I see KSIA's main competition as Cape Town International. Johannesburg is a totally different market. Lastly , for the guest who mentioned "noise factors". It will be 2009 mate. Aircraft are getting quieter. You wont see too many fluffies flying around , especially at the way fuel costs are going. (Although JNB is still a Stage II airport :P) I must add though , that I think KSIA is a great investment for Kwazulu-Natal. It will increase tourisim and cash flow. Its a step forward for aviation in South Africa. Growth is always good especially if it renders profit. Seasons greetings! :wink: Regards, -SA006

some of the main backers of the KSIA development are the major international air cargo companies. That is where alot of the additional business will come from. That is where durban will take away some traffic from Jozi. As a transshipment hub and being at sea-level KSIA will offer far better logistical platforms for the cargo industry...that is the main push of the airport, to offer time sensitive goods an international gateway. I dont see KSIA taking flights away from Jozi, but i do see it, in time, possibly changing the flight patterns of many of the international carriers, those less focussed on business markets, and more on travel...for that is KZN's strong point. Besides the Air cargo companies, the other airlines that have stated that they wish to make great use of KSIA are Virgin, Singapore, BA, Emirates and Qatar Air, with Jet air recently indicating to the Dube board that they would be interested. SAA are doubtful at this stage, due to their big bosses, but politics can change over time, so i wouldnt be surprised to see them on board by 2010. KSIA is going to happen. The larger framework of the project (all that outside of the airline related spheres...the cyberport, and such) will push the project forward, when critics point to the present small passenger numbers of durban. Those other areas to be included in the dube plan, need to be in that area, for that is where the high speed under sea cable lands on the SA coast. Cato Ridge does not offer the same advantages, never will. The strength of Dube at La Mercy, is its position between Durban and Richards Bay, the fact its on the main rail route and highway, the fact that it has massive space for 2 runways and massive high tech industry, with skilled labour in close proximity....Cato Ridge will never offer that. Its going to be opening a door to the world for the KZN economy, and that is not looking at just tourism, but at industry. It will do, and does follow, alot of what they have done in singapore and Dubai. If you speak to the city council, they are positioning durban as a cross between Singapore, dubai and Gold Coast...in my opinion, that is a very good decision to make, and i see many good things coming in the future

Thanks Sean , cleared it up. As for "White Elephants " why does no-one want to talk about KMIA.? Good point :wink: -SA006

Ohh, so much stress here... Okay, lets get this straight. I think we can all agree that the new Durban airport will never reach JIA and not CIA in the near future (by the way, 8 out of 10 tourist attractions are based in the Western Cape and tourist go there all year-long, believe me!). And we can agree that Durban will never have the pax, like JIA, so there won't be a second "Dubai" or "Doha". It DOES look, as if Durban would be able to take some of JIA traffic (mainly cargo). No matter if cargo is transferred from Durban harbour or Richards Bay (I am sure they will built a bigger road depending on developments). And I am sure we all will have to acknowledge that the airport WILL BE BUILT, no matter what. But get away from SA for a second to Berlin. Three airports, all a bit aged, over- and underserved. People in Germany were waiting for about 10 years for a decision where to built the airport, when, how... Cost: Millions and millions of Euro. USE: None. Because in the end there will be an airport, thousands of court disccusion later. BUT: Will be finished earliest 2010 (more than 10 years delayed), Berlins airport could far further in terms of pax, cargo and international routes when this day comes. LEARN: In a democratic society we need to accept decisions by those we (in this case the "people", not the single person) elected. Means that it is better for all to get going with the airport where it is. Yes, we do need to tell them if we think different. I know there is a lot of personal effort in this. You do mean it best. But at this stage of development it is no use, proposing to rather built the airport somewhere else, as plans already seem to be final. BUT WHAT CAN WE DO: Well, you don't like the new Durban Int. Airport where it is? There is not much you can do. You could live with it or fight a battle you wont win. Rather make the best of the situation and try to influence people in a way that makes this new airport best for all. Work together, against each other. And it is a big chance for the city in economic and (less) touristic terms. What does disturb me is not the fact that people are against the project, but why. Often it is concerns of local residents. I know it is hard and that is why I take this serious. But let me tell you a story of myself: I have lived in the approach path of Cape Town Int. for quite a while. I do know what it means to have those old 737s flying over your head everyday. But they need to fly somewhere, don't they? I know live (not by intention, but by accident) at the end of a busy very airport (multiply Cape Towns pax by three) and I still have those noisy aircraft above my head. But it does not disturb me. Because I could move somewhere else if I wanted. And don't tell me the people in Durban can't do that, too!! You wouldn't imagine how fast you get used to aircrafts flying over your head. Third day you wont even look up... If you think in overall economic terms it is a big chance, considering the amount of new jobs that could be created. Not just the airport, also in the surroundings: hotels, transport, shops... Having seen the current airport I must admit that I would like to use it at the moment and definitly not take my family there for a flight. It is simply ugly. No, I forgot there are great views on the industrial center around it... The new airport is needed and it is time to work together to make it better than it might be today. Living near an airport is not as bad as it was a decade ago. Aircraft noises are much less with new, modern aircraft. In Cape Town I could a hear those old Boeings from miles away, but it was luck to see the (by the time) new A340-600s of SAA, because I simply didn't hear them, although I was concentrating on it. And lets face it: This IS Africa, but there IS development. And just like everywhere else the African aviation industry will develop. Look at it: All major African airlines order new modern, quite aircraft and those make up the biggest amount of traffic. And the same will happen at smaller and cargo airlines. I am 110% sure of that. Well, that is it. Cheers, Felix

the luxury residential of mt edgecombe in many many kilometres away from dube!

oh and the undersea cable lands on the north coast and nowhere near CT. It will power the cyberport, and it is NOT under Telkoms jurisdiction. just cos the N3 is the mian economic highway...doesnt mean new things cant be built on the N2 to make it better...all areas need to grow and u dont seem like u know much about the tourist/film and other industries in your own city. did u know that more movies were made in durban this year than CT? did u know that next year we have 7 hollywood and 4 bolloywood movies being shot in KZN. Did u know that with the russian survivor is currently being shot in zululand. I have so many did u knows...that i think ud be shocked. Durban aint this freakin lil back water that u wanna paint it as...i think that it is people like u...with this hold all things back attitude that gave durban its reputation of never achieving anything, for people always love to sit back and moan instead of working together to get things done. I have lived here for 8 years now and i still cant get some of the older generation in durban (i'm from ireland by the way). In ireland we made decisions, be they popular or not, and we achieved great things...look at the economy. If something (like this airport) is for the greater good it happened and NO one could stop it. That is why i am liking the new durban council and kzn leadership...they must push this thru, just like they have done with other things.

oh ok...so u live in pmb... i cant be bothered to carry on arguing or debating

Can't fault the Guinness'. :lol: :lol: After all PMBG IS the capital of KZN. WHY should we always be taking second place to DBN.? For the same reason Canberra takes 2nd place to Sydney, Ankara takes 2nd place to Istanbul and the same reason Pretoria takes 2nd place to Jo'burg. Capitals are largely legislative (as I'm sure you're aware) and generally play 2nd fiddle to economic giants of a country / province. Cato Ridge is surely too far out of the Durban CBD (let alone U. Rocks) to get bussiness' approval. Just my humble opinion. Sean

thats my main reason for not liking the Cato Ridge option. The airport in Cato Ridge will be 50km from durban and 65km from Umhlanga...that is far too far away. Secondly, as cigar said, pmb is a distant second to durbs in the region and hence will play very little role in determining where durbans airport should go. Cato ridge also would mean trying to appropriate land from many different sources to develop it. it just isnt an option imo, and i dont think it would be an option to many people. Even when it was mentioned a while back that virginia should move to cato ridge, there was massive uproar in durban...could u imagine how people would take suggestions of moving the main airport there? its not a good location.

Interesting Comments. KSIA may take some traffic from JIA, however I beleive that a big factor in the increase of traffic at JIA is because it has become a major regional connecting hub for Africa. I think there is a need for international flights to Durban, however I do not believe it will be on the scale as envisaged at KSIA. There is a potential for flights to England, Germany and India, and perhaps charter flights. I wonder what kind of Airport Tax will be levied on the poor passenger to pay for all of this !

Hi there, seems as if you didn't read well, because there are at least two people that have worked for Air Botswana and SA Express and just because most of the work for SA Tourism, this mustn't mean they don't have an idea of aviation (which is very much connected with aviation - who knows what exactly they did)! And in sectors they work in it says "Airports and airlines"! Felix