Deanw
18th May 2005, 10:14
From Business Report:
Acsa to clamp down on airport crime with new police
May 18, 2005
By Audrey d' Angelo
Cape Town - Crime would be fought more effectively at South Africa's state-owned airports from August, when specially trained police would replace those now on duty, Monhla Hlahla, the chief executive of Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), said yesterday.
Pointing out that airports worldwide attracted crime, Hlahla said that although both plainclothes and uniformed police were now on duty at those run by Acsa, many of them "do not know enough about how airports are run".
However, this situation would change from August when police, who had been given special training for airport work by international trainers, would take over.
Hlahla emphasised that airlines were responsible for compensating passengers whose checked-in luggage was stolen or tampered with.
On shareholding in Acsa, which has budgeted for an 11.57 percent return on equity in the current financial year, she pointed out that it was a safe investment, which she would like made available to all South Africans through an initial public offering.
She hoped to see a larger black economic empowerment stake in the group than the present small one held by a consortium of companies.
Meanwhile, Acsa's Italian strategic equity partner, Aeroporti di Roma, which holds 20 percent of the company, is preparing to acquire the additional 10 percent it was committed to buy, but up-to-date details of the value of this investment still had to be worked out. Hlahla said Aeroporti di Roma had proved to be a useful and valued partner.
Both Hlahla and Tommy Olifant, Acsa's chairman, praised the part low-cost airlines kulula.com and 1Time had played in encouraging domestic air travel and in causing the market to grow.
Hlahla hoped the low-cost airlines would expand into the regional market, encouraging travel to neighbouring countries.
On the proposed La Mercy airport in Durban, Hlahla said it was important that the value of Acsa's investment in the present Durban International Airport was not destroyed.
The present airport was nearer the city centre and therefore more attractive to business passengers and would be adequate to handle the crowds expected for the soccer World Cup in 2010.
Earlier, Brooks Mparutsa, Acsa's new executive financial director, said Acsa's total capital expenditure between 2005 and 2009 would be about R5.2 billion.
Acsa to clamp down on airport crime with new police
May 18, 2005
By Audrey d' Angelo
Cape Town - Crime would be fought more effectively at South Africa's state-owned airports from August, when specially trained police would replace those now on duty, Monhla Hlahla, the chief executive of Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), said yesterday.
Pointing out that airports worldwide attracted crime, Hlahla said that although both plainclothes and uniformed police were now on duty at those run by Acsa, many of them "do not know enough about how airports are run".
However, this situation would change from August when police, who had been given special training for airport work by international trainers, would take over.
Hlahla emphasised that airlines were responsible for compensating passengers whose checked-in luggage was stolen or tampered with.
On shareholding in Acsa, which has budgeted for an 11.57 percent return on equity in the current financial year, she pointed out that it was a safe investment, which she would like made available to all South Africans through an initial public offering.
She hoped to see a larger black economic empowerment stake in the group than the present small one held by a consortium of companies.
Meanwhile, Acsa's Italian strategic equity partner, Aeroporti di Roma, which holds 20 percent of the company, is preparing to acquire the additional 10 percent it was committed to buy, but up-to-date details of the value of this investment still had to be worked out. Hlahla said Aeroporti di Roma had proved to be a useful and valued partner.
Both Hlahla and Tommy Olifant, Acsa's chairman, praised the part low-cost airlines kulula.com and 1Time had played in encouraging domestic air travel and in causing the market to grow.
Hlahla hoped the low-cost airlines would expand into the regional market, encouraging travel to neighbouring countries.
On the proposed La Mercy airport in Durban, Hlahla said it was important that the value of Acsa's investment in the present Durban International Airport was not destroyed.
The present airport was nearer the city centre and therefore more attractive to business passengers and would be adequate to handle the crowds expected for the soccer World Cup in 2010.
Earlier, Brooks Mparutsa, Acsa's new executive financial director, said Acsa's total capital expenditure between 2005 and 2009 would be about R5.2 billion.