Virginia to close its hangar doors in 2018
Ryley said the news on the closure meant the city will not only lose out on the benefits of having a municipal airport but will also lose an economic contributor.
VIRGINIA Airport will close its doors by 2018. The news has given some finality to the uncertainty surrounding the 55-year-old airport. This is according to the feasibility study conducted by consultancy Royal Dutch Haskoning DHV at the behest of the municipality.
However, what is unclear is the new destination for Virginia operators. While the city has suggested Scottburgh on the South Coast, the operators favour a move to King Shaka Airport.
The report was released to Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, 10 months after he initially asked for it via a Public Access to Information Act (PAIA) application.The 200-page report looked at alternative sites for the 55-year-old airport.
Ryley said the news on the closure meant the city will not only lose out on the benefits of having a municipal airport but will also lose an economic contributor.
“However, this is obviously dependent on where operations are ultimately moved to. Durban North itself will be losing a piece of its history and nostalgia. While it is understood that entities such as this cannot remain forever, it has been sad to see the way in which this matter has been dealt with. This issue should only have come up for discussion in 2020-2022 when the original lease agreement would have been due for review.
“Instead many have been affected by a limbo situation for more than four years. We also have to be mindful of what development will take place once the airport has moved and whether this will fit in with the character of the Durban North area,” he said.
While Ryley is yet to set up a meeting with the operators to discuss the findings of the feasibility study, he firmly believes any decision regarding the future of the airport must involve the main stakeholders.
“Many of the operators have been conducting their business from the facility for decades and they know what the best move will be.
“Unfortunately, thus far they have not been included to the extent that they should have been and this could prove detrimental to the final outcome of this saga. They know what is best for their individual operations and they should not be excluded.” he said.
