The long-awaited redevelopment of the old Durban International Airport remains in limbo as legal disputes and competing claims stall progress. Plans to transform the abandoned site into a secondary airport or a thriving logistics hub have hit repeated roadblocks, with lease cancellations and allegations of unfair bidding processes fueling the deadlock.
A Three-Way Tug-of-War Over the Airport
In 2017, Transnet Property, the owner of the airport, signed a 10-year lease with Seaworld Aviation. The company aimed to establish a hub for smaller airlines, enhancing connectivity to the South Coast. However, just a year later, Transnet abruptly canceled the lease, citing Seaworld’s alleged violation of sub-leasing rules. Transnet accused the company of renting space to non-aviation tenants, while Seaworld countered by blaming Transnet for failing to remove those very tenants, which hindered their ability to relaunch airport operations. The dispute has since escalated into a multimillion-rand court battle over lease terms and responsibilities.
To complicate matters further, another bidder, Amabhunesi Property Holdings, has entered the fray. The company claims that its proposal to convert the site into a logistics hub was unfairly sidelined, adding yet another layer of contention to the ongoing saga.
Government Steps In to Investigate
Amid the mounting controversy, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in late 2024 to probe lease agreements involving Transnet properties. This broader inquiry aims to uncover any unlawful or improper conduct by Transnet employees, officials, or other involved parties.
“This investigation will focus on leases that were potentially facilitated through unlawful or improper conduct,” stated SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, underscoring the seriousness of the probe.
Does Durban Even Need a Second Airport?
While legal battles rage on, some industry experts question whether Durban actually needs another airport. Travel expert and CoTravel owner Paula Martini argues that the focus should be on optimizing the existing King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) rather than investing in a new facility.
“We need to maximize the potential of KSIA first. Right now, we’re only operating at a fraction of its capacity. We’ve lost major airlines like British Airways and Air Mauritius, and our Cape Town-Durban flights are minimal. There aren’t even direct flights to George. Instead of building another airport, we should be working on attracting more airlines and passengers to KSIA,” Martini emphasized.
She suggests that funds would be better allocated toward enhancing tourism infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal. Upgrades to Durban’s beachfront promenade and additional attractions along the South Coast, she argues, would create more demand for travel, ultimately benefiting the region’s economy far more than a second airport ever could.
What’s Next?
For now, the future of the old Durban International Airport remains uncertain. With ongoing court battles, government investigations, and industry skepticism, the site’s transformation is anything but straightforward. Whether it becomes a logistics hub, a revived airport, or remains in limbo, one thing is clear—this dispute is far from over.
