Big Investment, Slow Recovery: Inside King Shaka Airport’s Next Growth Phase

King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) is set to undergo a significant transformation as part of Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) R21.7 billion capital expenditure programme earmarked for infrastructure upgrades across its national airport network, including Cape Town International and O.R. Tambo International airports, over the next five years.

The investment falls under ACSA’s newly launched Innovate, Grow and Sustain strategy and signals the start of an intense period of construction at KSIA, with multiple infrastructure projects expected to commence concurrently within the first quarter of this year.

According to Sanjeev Gareeb, Assistant General Manager of Operations at King Shaka International Airport, the substantial funding injection is expected to play a meaningful role in stimulating KwaZulu-Natal’s economy. He said the projects would support job creation and contribute directly to provincial gross domestic product (GDP) growth — outcomes ACSA considers critical to long-term, sustainable aeronautical development.

Despite the positive outlook, KSIA continues to trail behind its major counterparts in recovery, with passenger volumes still below pre-Covid-19 levels. This contrasts with O.R. Tambo and Cape Town International airports, which have already surpassed their 2019 traffic figures.

Gareeb offered a frank assessment of the uneven recovery within the aviation sector, outlining the specific challenges facing KSIA and the mechanisms being used to stimulate growth.

Last week, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) reported that although KSIA recorded an 8.12% increase in traffic in December 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the airport remains a concern as volumes are still below pre-pandemic levels.

Gareeb explained that the ATNS figures likely excluded ad hoc charter flights, private aviation and other general aviation activity. He added that when these segments are included, KSIA achieved a stronger year-on-year growth rate of approximately 10% in December 2025.

He linked the slower recovery in air traffic — relative to 2019 levels — to KwaZulu-Natal’s broader economic performance, noting that the province has historically lagged in GDP growth compared to regions that have already exceeded pre-Covid flight volumes.

Gareeb also unpacked the complex passenger trends observed during the festive season. While tourism activity across the province was strong, this did not fully translate into increased airport throughput. He suggested that more affordable transport alternatives, such as long-distance buses and private vehicles, limited demand for air travel.

“This indicates that airfares were expensive, or that passengers chose alternative modes of transport for other reasons,” he said.

He added that moderate aircraft load factors, despite expectations of a peak travel period, pointed to high ticket prices and a low “propensity to fly” as key constraints on passenger numbers.

Addressing the perception that airport capacity expansion directly drives tourism growth, Gareeb clarified that the relationship typically works in reverse. Sustained growth in tourism and hospitality demand stimulates aviation demand, with airport capacity expanded in response.

While ACSA’s role is to ensure capacity is available, he said the strategic focus remains on demand stimulation through collaborative route development, competitive airport charges and reliable airline scheduling.

Gareeb cited the Durban Direct route development committee — a coordinated initiative involving government, tourism authorities and economic stakeholders — as a clear example of successful collaboration. He pointed to increased frequencies by Qatar Airways and the launch of the new direct Durban–Réunion service in February as tangible outcomes of these efforts, alongside existing services operated by Emirates and Turkish Airlines.

On airport charges, Gareeb emphasised that these are not determined unilaterally by ACSA. Instead, tariffs are set by an independent Economic Regulating Committee following consultation with airlines and industry stakeholders. The process ensures charges are globally benchmarked while still supporting essential infrastructure investment, including the R21.7 billion capex programme.

Finally, on the issue of scheduling reliability, Gareeb highlighted the global shift towards slot-control regulations to manage infrastructure demand, smooth peak-time congestion and maintain operational balance. He stressed that airline on-time performance is closely monitored, as reliability is critical for connecting passengers and time-sensitive business travel.