KMIA sold, KNP airport back in operation

NELSPRUIT – Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) is sold. The majority of KMIA has been sold to an entity controlled by two South African businessmen, Mr Anthony Ball and Mr Hugo Stroud.
This announcement was made by airport’s manager, Mr Marius Nel this morning and put an end to months of rumours about its future. Stroud and Ball acquired ABB Equity Ventures’ holding in the airport, which was constructed primarily by ABB in 2001. The local Mbuyane community will keep its share and has given its support and blessing to the transaction.
The new shareholders are excited about KMIA and look forward to growing and developing this regional asset and working more closely with all role players to extend the benefit to the people of Mpumalanga.
Nel and his senior management team will remain and he says his team is committed to the growth and expansion of the operation.
KMIA’s financial uncertainty has been the topic of rumour for a long time. Efforts to obtain more cost-effective flights between the airport and other major destinations have so far failed.
On the bright side it has been in the media for more pleasant news as many international celebrities use it as a port of entry when going to some of the Big 5 destinations in the area. A regular face is Sir Richard Branson who uses the airport whenever visiting his famous five-star Ulusaba Lodge. Hollywood stars like Leonardo di Caprio and Orlando Bloom have also been spotted.
Meanwhile the South African National Parks (SANParks) has today announced the appointment of a preferred operator for the Skukuza Airport in the iconic Kruger National Park. This announcement could have a serious impact on KMIA.
SANParks chief executive officer, Dr David Mabunda said the successful bid was submitted by the Skukuza Airport Management Company (Pty) Ltd jointly owned by Lion Sands, Federal Air and Airlink. The consortium will sign a public-private artnership (PPP) agreement with SANParks for a period of 10 years.
The announcement follows a lengthy process of technical evaluation and adjudication of bids submitted in response to a request for proposals issued in April.
According to Mabunda, this development will benefit SANParks’ long-haul clients and those from major centres who will no longer be subjected to a two-hour drive from Nelspruit to the KNP. “We are reliving a tradition that started in 1959 to enhance visitor convenience and experience and we look forward to working with our new partners in taking the business of managing national parks assets to another level.”
In reaction to the announcement Mr Robert More, Lion Sands’ co-founder and CEO, said it was an absolute privilege to be involved in this venture. “Our lodges are all in close proximity to Skukuza and our customers will benefit significantly from re-opening the airport to scheduled air services.”
Mr Carl Trieloff, commercial director of special projects at Fed Air added, “We are proud to be part of the consortium behind the winning bid. We look forward to providing visitors the opportunity to experience a high-quality, affordable bushveld experience.”
Mr Rodger Foster, Airlink’s CEO responded by saying his company was delighted to be in the consortium and looked forward to delivering scheduled air services to Skukuza, and access to all lodges within its precinct. This was going to make travelling to the park simpler and affordable.
Skukuza Airport Management Company will be given access to the airport facility from September 1 in order to commence with the alterations and improvements essential to bringing it up to the international standard, which will include rehabilitation of the runway.
It is envisaged that the upgrades should be substantially completed by November 1 to achieve the necessary licensing by the SA Civil Aviation Authority. It is anticipated that the licensing process will be completed before the first quarter of 2014 with scheduled flights set to commence in March next year.
In conclusion, Mabunda said SANParks was highly impressed with the successful bidder’s operational plan for the airport and its associated air services. “This included a comprehensive environmental-management plan to limit the noise impact of operations overarching minimised environmental-impact philosophy.”