Contract signed for La Mercy Airport

AIRPORTS Company South Africa (Acsa) has signed a R6,8bn contract with the Ilembe Consortium for the design and construction of a new airport at La Mercy, north of Durban. However, construction can not begin until the outcome of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study, which has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for a final decision, has been reached. Plans to construct the airport at La Mercy has come under fire from environmentalists as a Barn Swallow roost-site sits on the flight-path for aircraft at the proposed airport. Monhla Hlahla, Acsa md, says Acsa’s main aim is to ensure the airport is ready in time for 2010. “The signing of the contract allows both Acsa and Ilembe to start certain processes within the construction and design framework considering the schedules involved in delivering the airport by 2010,” says Hlahla. Brought to you by TravelHub… Sue Lewitton (suel@nowmedia.co.za)