Major South African airport set for extensive upgrades
A major airport in Gauteng, South Africa, is preparing for significant infrastructural changes. Here’s what they have planned…
Lanseria International Airport, South Africa’s only privately owned airport, is preparing for a major transformation this year.
BusinessTech reports that the airport aims to increase capacity, improve infrastructure, and establish itself as a key regional hub through these upgrades.
The airport is also pursuing an ambitious expansion plan to drive long-term growth.
Big plans, bigger vision
CEO Rampa Rammopo outlined a bold future for the Gauteng-based airport, BusinessTech revealed.
Lanseria handles 1.9 million passengers annually and aims to more than double that number by 2032, reaching six million by 2037. By 2050, the airport plans to serve an impressive 18 million passengers each year.
“Our vision is to be a regional airport catering mainly to the SADC and sub-Saharan Africa,” Rammopo said.
To support this growth, Lanseria is investing heavily in infrastructure. This will include:
- Terminal and parking expansion: A new three-storey parkade, costing R250 million, will add 1 000 bays, addressing long-standing complaints about parking costs and boosting the total to 4 000 bays.
- Fuel farm upgrade: The airport will also increase fuel storage from 1 000 to 6 000 cubic metres to prevent future supply issues.
- Technical relocation and runway plans: The existing fuel farm and technical areas will be relocated, and a second runway – costing between R1 billion and R2 billion – is under serious consideration.
- Taxiway rehabilitation: Alpha Taxiway, which is over 20 years old, will undergo a major overhaul beginning in early 2026 to enhance efficiency and maintain safety standards.
- Cargo precinct: A ten-year project will also launch in late 2025 to create a full-scale cargo logistics hub, positioning the South African airport as a central player in regional freight transport.
- Land development: With 90 hectares of available land, the airport has signed a lease with Bionic Aviation for a state-of-the-art hangar and office complex.
- Hangar upgrades: A five-year modernisation programme is underway, with six hangars already revamped and more planned, including digitised systems and enhanced access control.