Huge R21.7-billion expansion plans for Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and OR Tambo International Airport, as well as four other South African airports, were recently revealed to reshape the country's aviation and economic landscape. This has been a huge step forward. This is an achievement. That deserves our applause.
As Airports South Africa (Acsa) embarks on this ambitious plan, we thought it would be worthwhile to highlight its profound significance from a Cape Town perspective.
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Read: Multi-billion rand expansion of Cape Town and OR Tambo Airport moves forward
This plan goes beyond simply renovating the airport. This expansion is not just about the airport. It is a testament to our unwavering advocacy, careful planning and shared vision for Cape Town's economic prosperity.
My main objective in my role as the Mayor's Commissioner for Economic Growth for the City of Cape Town is to attract investment that creates jobs and economic opportunities. Central to this mission is harnessing the potential of the aviation sector, which is a key element of economic development through tourism and trade.
Through strategic city agreements and innovative campaigns, we have successfully secured 215 weekly international flights, connecting Cape Town with 31 diverse destinations around the world.
In the busy month of December (2023) alone, the airport efficiently handled a staggering 317,000 international return passengers, underscoring Cape Town's growing appeal as a global hub.
Last year, Cape Town welcomed approximately 2.9 million passengers to CTIA. This is a testament to our commitment to fostering international connections and positioning Cape Town as an attractive destination on the world stage.
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Please allow me to make a personal note. Aviation is my lifelong passion. As I grew up, my fascination with aviation coincided with another mission: fostering a robust economy that provides ample opportunity for its people.
Aviation plays a vital role in Cape Town's growth, particularly tourism and trade, so my department and I are dedicated to revitalizing and expanding our aviation economy.
The Air Access Initiative, funded by the City of Cape Town, exemplifies our commitment to strengthening air links to and from our home city.
CTIA's significant expansion is a natural progression, promising not only increased airmail but also a significant increase in the city's cargo capacity, creating exciting prospects for exports and global product placement.
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CTIA's significant 52% growth in international cargo traffic is not a coincidence, but the result of a strategic effort. A collaborative effort with key stakeholders resulted in a comprehensive freight strategy that will guide the future development of the industry and create opportunities for Capetonians.
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This expansion, which includes a new runway, refurbishment of domestic arrivals, and possibly an expanded international terminal, is more than just an infrastructure project. This is an innovative pathway that maximizes benefits for local contractors and communities, reaffirming Cape Town as a premier travel, investment and business destination globally.
open sky
In an ongoing effort since 2014, when I was a member of Congress, I have been an advocate for open skies agreements, which are critical to the use of airspace, competitive fares, and expanded choice for travelers.
The economic impact is undeniable, with air travel contributing R24 billion to our city in 2022 alone and supporting over 10,600 jobs.
Strategic initiatives such as the 'Choose Cape Town' campaign and agreements between cities around the world demonstrate our commitment to creatively and proactively driving economic growth. With the CTIA's expansion budget approved, our focus expands on expanding trade routes, thereby exposing local producers to new markets around the world.
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As my team and I prepare for trade missions to key source markets, our vision remains clear: positioning Cape Town as the first choice for trade and travel. Expanding CTIA and pursuing open skies agreements is not just about airport infrastructure. These are deliberate steps towards a vision where every household in Cape Town benefits from tourism and trade-related jobs.
I will closely monitor the planning and implementation of these upgrades to ensure their success, in line with our commitment to fostering Cape Town's infrastructure and economic development.
In conclusion, the careful design and thoughtful advocacy behind the CTIA Expansion and Open Skies Agreement reflects our commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for all Capetonians.
Growing economies and empowering people is at the heart of what we do. Together with our amazing team, we will continue to work tirelessly towards this vision. Nothing related to Cape Town's economy is left to chance. It's all by design.
* Councilor James Vos is a member of the City of Cape Town's Mayor's Committee for Economic Growth.