EDITOR- Not only is Virginia Airport a living landmark of this region, it is a major economic contributor to the city of Durban.
The value of a municipal airport cannot be understated in a burgeoning city such as ours. To date, I am yet to see any hard copy report on the plans for this site.
We have all heard the speculation that city bosses want to move the airport but what is planned for the land thereafter?
Notwithstanding the excellent training facility that Virginia Airport provides, it is also a draw card for big businesses due to its close proximity to the city being less than 10km from the CBD and facilities such as Moses Mabhida Stadium and the ICC.
This makes it a convenient point of entry for big businesses and those entities which would otherwise not even consider coming to Durban were it not for the existence of Virginia Airport.
If reports that the airport is losing business are true then this can only be attributed to the lack of uncertainty around the future of the airport making it very difficult to conduct profitable business.
Moving the airport to Scottburgh is a ludicrous notion. Firstly, it is outside the borders of the municipality meaning that the city will not benefit from any busines conducted there.
Secondly, it is too far away from the city to act as a convenient point of entry.
We cannot, and will not, allow such flagrant disregard for logical reasoning simply because somebody stands to make a quick buck by selling or developing prime real estate that is currently being put to excellent use due to its favourable geographical position.
Shaun Ryley
Durban North ward councillor
