New Durban airport named

THE new airport at La Mercy near Durban will officially be known as King Shaka International Airport. The Geographical Names Council announced the name at its first quarterly meeting in Durban on December 14. "The council is satisfied with the process that has been followed. We have approved the name and the only thing left is for the minister of arts and culture to approve it," the council's Mpume Mbatha said in Durban. Once the new airport is fully operational by May 2010, the current airport will be decommissioned as an airport and all aviation business will be relocated and conducted at the new airport. The last aircraft is planned to land at the current Durban International Airport on April 30 and after the passengers have left the airport, the aircraft will be relocated to the new airport. The new airport is expected to commence operations the following day. The 2010 Soccer World Cup event is being planned to be managed from the new airport, with the old airport used in case of an emergency and possibly to park aircraft, should it be required during the event. Jeanette Phillips (jeanettep@nowmedia.co.za)