Mamparalanga International On Track to Open in September

[The Guvnor]

Mpumalanga's New International Airport Set to Open in September

African Eye News Service (Nelspruit)

January 9, 2002
Posted to the web January 9, 2002

Justin Arenstein
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga's new R270 million international airport, situated on the border of the Kruger National Park, is on track to open for regional flights in September.

The new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) will, however, only begin handling direct international charter and package flights from Europe in December.

KMIA spokesman Irvin Phenyane said on Wednesday that while all infrastructure on the airport's 3 100 metre runaway would be complete in September, licensing and aviation systems for international flights would only be in place in late November.

Lowveld Tourism association chairman James Aling said the airport was expected to be a major catalyst for "unprecedented" tourism growth in the region.

"The airport will be capable of handling Airbus 320 and 747 aircraft. This will make it possible to accommodate direct travel to and from Europe, and the airport developers expect a fundamental shift in travel patterns and anticipate drawing 180 000 travellers to the region in the first year of operation," said Aling.

The region's current main airport, the Nelspruit Municipal Airport, handles roughly 40 000 travellers a year only.

"If the Airport manages to achieve these kind of arrivals we are in for a tourism boom as never seen here before," said Aling.

[PAXboy]

I liked the errors in this, just not sure if they are typographical or what ...

Such as 'runaway' and that, if the new 3,100 m runaway can handle 747, then it can handle 340 not just 320. But who cares,I'm being too picky.

[The Guvnor]

... and an A320 that's come all the way from Europe, nogal! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Ah well, at least it beats Skukuza which take F27s and not a lot else!

[PAXboy]

Vraagies man - yu ken speek die taal? No limit to your talents Guv <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

I have to say that, whatever the new runaway is like, it has to have some advantages over landing half way up a moutain, at an acute angle with minimum clearances!!

[126.9]

PAXboy

No offence mate; but we don't do that GUV BASHING thing down here. His name is Neil, and he's one of us. And wraggies would be spelt this way. <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> (from wragtig)

Edited to correct spelling.... :)

[ 13 January 2002: Message edited by: 126.9 ]</p>

[Chuck Ellsworth]

126.9:

Great name for an Africa guy, spent many an hour with that selected on my radios, anyhow a question?

I was at a Game Farm strip right on the Kruger park border, it was Thornybush ever heard of it? and is that new airport anywhere near that?
..................
:) The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no. :)

[PAXboy]

126.9 I'm sorry if I did not add a tongue in cheek or wink icon.

I have NEVER bashed the Guv and have no intention of doing so. My response was meant in a jocular fashion and I am sorry that it did not come across as such.

You are indeed correct about wragtig but I was writing phonetically to try and give the idea to those who may have heard Souefrican slang but not know how to spell it.

I am happy to put on record that I always make a point of reading the Guv's posts and I think that he is right more often than most folks give him credit.

<img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[PAXboy]

126.9 I'm sorry if I did not add a tongue in cheek or wink icon.

I have NEVER bashed the Guv and have no intention of doing so. My response was meant in a jocular fashion and I am sorry that it did not come across as such.

You are indeed correct about wragtig but I was writing phonetically to try and give the idea to those who may have heard Souefrican slang but not know how to spell it.

I am happy to put on record that I always make a point of reading the Guv's posts and I think that he is right more often than most folks give him credit.

<img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[126.9]

Cat Driver

I've not been into Mpumalanga (Dusk, or literally the day goes away) myself, but yes; it is in the area of Thorny. To the best of my recollection it's somewhere to the NW of Skukuza. Glad you relate to the name... <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

PAXboy

Like I said: No offence meant! We all have different opinions, and we're all entitled to disagree. Like yourself, I'm just gatvol of all the ambushers lying in waiting. The Guv is a controversial character on PPRuNe; but like most people I encounter, I like him anyway. Take care. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[V1 Rotate]

I don't think any foreign operators will be coming to SA now that the reciever of revenue is going to levy 14% VAT on all a/c staying longer than 14days. . .If a fuel truck hits your a/c and it gets stuck in SA you are going to have to cough 14% of the value or lose your airey!. .V1 Rotate

[Whenwe]

The new airlield in question, is being built near Primkop. About 25 Km East of Nelspruit and South of White River. Not any where near Thornybush.. .WW

[PAXboy]

May I just say for those who are not familiar with the area, that 'Mpumalanga' is the name of the province, formally known as the Transvaal. At the same time, the area that incorporates Joburg and Pretoria and what was formally known as 'The Witwatersrand' (were the gold was first found) was named Gauteng, The Place of the Gold.

The new airport is primarily to serve the enlarged Kruger Park with direct flights or larger aircraft for the internal hop to say, Cape Town or Durban. Nelspruit will benefit but it is a small farming town.

The Kruger Park is being expanded by agreement with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and all three parks are being 'pooled' into one with no territorial fences. The park will be managed jointly for the best benefit of the animals (human and four legged).

Another reason is the increasing risks to pax of the long road coach journey. So it is felt that shipping the pax directly in by air will give them a better experience etc.

To 126.9, fine <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> I am always surprised that, when the Guv posts a news item, so many folks instead of saying, "OK, thanks I hadn't seen that item relevant to our field" or simply ignoring it - HAVE to shout him down.

[ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: PAXboy ]</p>

[Scowl]

I don't think I would class Nelspruit as a "small farming town", over the past years, thanks to their airfield, it has grown into a fair sized industrial town.. .Regards,. .Scowl

PS I don't stay in Nelspruit

[PAXboy]

Scowl, I have to say that it is ten years since I was in Nelspruit itself. It is just one of those towns that attracts unjustified smeers against it's name! Pofadder might be abother!

In the UK, East Grinstead is an example.. .Cheers,

[Tokoloshe]

126.9

Seeing as we are all trying to get the facts straight. Mpumalanga, means DAWN (the sun coming out) your description would mean Shonalanga <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> . .btw. I do live there. . .Hopefully this development will improve the whole area as Nelspruit ceased to be a little farming town many years ago. . .It amazes me how some people think they deserve some kind of award just for landing at NLP. It's not that bad.... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Gathle, gathle, ubambe ngobejaan!

[126.9]

Tokoloshe

I do believe it's a case of jy mix jou tale: mpuma means "to go away." btw that's regardless of where you live.

Having landed at NLP a few thousand times; I could care less about awards. Having flown the LUG IGS and the old HKG chequerboard: now those are worth an award :)

[4granted]

Jy..126.9 jou groot show OFF! I remember doing a checker board approach in my Golf..not to tasty...earth sky earth sky..ambulance.. .Waas jy nou ek se?? Park O tel Abid...? "INSHALA". .Ek arri feer in JOU Berg die 5de.... .Groete. .tshoklitkopvier GGee... .On a serious note though anyone know how the new buildings are progressing at Lanseria? Heard some people are already moving in...

[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: 4granted ]</p>

[Tokoloshe]

126.9

Let's not get into a flap over this; puma means to go/come out in zulu and the description comes from the fact the the sun "comes out of the earth" when looking east. (if you don't belong to the flat earth society :) ). .Hey, we even have the rising sun on our number plates now :) :)