The eThekwini Municipality has confirmed that it is exploring the development of a new airport on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast to improve regional accessibility and strengthen the province’s tourism economy.
City Manager Musa Mbhele revealed the proposal during the Mayoral Tourism Trade Stakeholder Engagement in Durban on 4 September.
Mbhele said that additional airport infrastructure could help unlock new growth opportunities for the region.
A look back: KZN’s airport history
As far as airports in KZN are concerned, until 2010, Durban International Airport, formerly Louis Botha Airport, was the city’s main gateway.
Located in Prospecton, it served millions of passengers but was ultimately decommissioned when King Shaka International Airport opened in La Mercy, 35km to the north.
The move was largely due to Durban International’s short 2.4km runway, which could not accommodate jumbo jets, compared to King Shaka’s 3.7km runway.
Following its closure, Transnet purchased the Durban International Airport site from Airports Company South Africa for R1.8 billion in 2012.
In 2017, it leased the property to Seaworld, which announced a R200 million plan to revive the airport and restart flights. However, the project collapsed when Seaworld discovered tenants already occupying parts of the terminal, leading to a dispute with Transnet. The lease was terminated in 2018, and the case ended up in court.
What’s next for the site?
The old airport land is now being used by Transnet as an extension of Durban’s port cargo terminal. The company has signalled its intention to begin building a massive dug-out port on the site by 2030, making it an unlikely candidate for the new airport.
Mbhele did not disclose the potential location of the proposed KZN South Coast airport, but officials say feasibility studies will help determine the best option. For the tourism sector, which has long pushed for easier access to coastal towns south of Durban, the announcement represents a possible turning point.
While still at an exploratory stage, the proposal signals a renewed focus on infrastructure that supports both tourism for the KZN South Coast and long-term economic growth.
