ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mr Erskine further notes, “Even during the current socio-economic climate brought on by Covid-19, it is important to note that our work is guided by a long-term business strategy as far as our operations go. Our priorities remain unchanged, and we have been able to continue serving our stakeholders without any disruptions to the organisational programme. Our focus is to drive investment and job creation in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa through the provision of world-class infrastructure and operations. We continue to see potential in both industrial and commercial property. “While passenger movements through King Shaka International Airport declined by 88% when comparing the period of April-October 2019 and 2020, which has hurt cargo throughput as the majority of cargo through King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is transported on passenger aircraft.
However, now in the first quarter of 2021, we are seeing a firm recovery in air traffic since the government has eased lockdown restrictions and reopened the economy. “November figures show that King Shaka International Airport’s route network has been restored to 29%, with a hub carrier like Qatar Airways providing onward connectivity to around 120 destinations within key markets around the world. As a province, we are actively working through the Durban Direct Route Development Committee to engage with airlines to reinstate and increase frequencies into the market.” Air services are a critical component of the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone development, the airline connectivity to export markets is central for providing access and stimulating the growth of the local manufacturing within the zone.
Especially in the wake of the African Free Trade Continental Agreement coming into effect earlier this year paving the way for improved intra-African trade, air freight will be the quickest mode of transport to access new markets within the continent. As Mr Owen Mungwe, Dube TradePort’s Development Planning and Infrastructure Executive highlights, “We are already seeing local and multinational firms position themselves within Dube TradePort in order to take advantage of the market opportunities that are available within the rest of the African continent. “Therefore, Dube TradePort in collaboration with provincial and local government as well as the private sector is currently in the process of developing one of Africa’s most connected cities, the Durban Aerotropolis.”
31
Dube.indd 31
5/6/21 1:30 PM
