The long-awaited realignment of Cape Town International Airport’s runway is still a way off, although Acsa has finally published its Permission for the five-year period from April 1, 2015 to March, 31 2020.The realignment will allow the airport to accommodate A380s and is expected to entice more international airlines to fly direct into Cape Town.

After two years of negotiations, this week Acsa announced a 35.5% cut in tariffs. However, the delay in the publication of the regulatory Permission has meant that Acsa has been unable to set accurate medium-term plans for the improvement of its airports. The company had to postpone all new capacity investments, including the much-awaited re-alignment of the runway at Cape Town International Airport.

Chris Zweigenthal, AASA CEO, explains that the Regulating Committee has already approved the bulk of Acsa’s proposed capital projects.  He warns, however, that due to the delay in the issuing of the Permission, Acsa will need to consider prioritising and re-scheduling many of the projects. “There will be no doubt further consultation on this matter with the airline industry,” he says.

A spokesperson for Acsa told Tourism Update that Acsa was happy that the process had finally been concluded and that all role players in the industry could have regulatory certainty. However, no timelines were given as to when the improvements to the airport would be conducted. The company said: “Acsa is assessing the implication of the Final Permission and will determine an appropriate response.”

Deborah Francis, Department Head of Communications and Branding for Cape Town International Airport, told Tourism Update that the airport was currently still undergoing an EIA process and awaiting all necessary approvals before the runway construction could commence.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, says that the planned realignment and extension of the runway at the airport is excellent news for tourism to the Western Cape. “This project would enable A380 aircraft, which have greater profit potential, to land at the airport. This would result in increased appetite by international airlines to fly direct into Cape Town.”



While Britsh Airways has not confirmed the speculation, industry sources say the airline is planning to deploy the A380 on the Cape Town route but are awaiting the new runway.