King Shaka is one of the best

King Shaka International Airport has been named the third best domestic airport in the world by the Skytrax World Airport Awards.
The award is based on the world’s largest airport customer satisfaction survey which is based on votes by travellers from over 160 countries.
Tokyo International Airport Haneda and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport took home first and second place in that order.
Coming third after some of the largest airports in the world is no easy feat. Haneda handled 68 million passengers in 2013 while Shanghai Hongqiao handled 83 million. In comparison, King Shaka only handled 4.67 million passengers in 2012. Terence Delomoney, Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) regional manager, believes the award is thanks to a good working relationship with businesses in the region.
“The awards that the airport has garnered so far are certainly about team work and how our service chain is dependent on other service providers to make the airport successful. It is about the excellent partnerships, attitude and relationships we have with our internal, external and airport stakeholders,” he said.
Ilembe Chamber of Commerce CEO, Cobus Oelofse congratulated the airport on its achievements and made mention of the relationship between the two.
“ACSA actively provides support to the Chamber’s contribution to local and district investment strategies. Terence, as a Chamber executive committee member is well placed in this regard to both influence and contribute to the growth of the region,” he said.
“King Shaka Airport and its relocation to the North Coast is not coincidental to the growth that the iLembe District has experienced over recent years. It has provided a gateway that should be optimized to create a competitive and world class business environment.”
Delomoney believes the relationship with the chamber is beneficial to the region.
“ The airport was opened in May 2010 and since its inception, the airport formulated a business relationship with the chamber. It focuses on business growth as the airport is viewed as an economic catalyst in this region and the broader KZN.
“ACSA sees the chamber as the voice of business but also as a voice for small and upcoming businesses. That is why we, for the past three years, have supported the chamber’s annual competition for emerging entrepreneurs and the Business Support Centre,” said Delomoney.
ACSA has also worked together with the Chamber on various environmental projects.
The airport also came in third place for the best airport in Africa award. First and second place went to OR Tambo and Cape Town airports respectively.