The Dube TradePort Corporation (DTPC) has invited consultants to submit proposals to support it in further developing air services and route development services for the King Shaka International Airport (KSIA).

The DTPC, which was mandated by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government to develop air services to the airport, was seeking to appoint a consultant or consulting firm for a period of three years.

The consultant or firm would have to advise on the monitoring and review of the overall air service strategy.

The winner of the bid would also have to analyse and present cases to specific airlines to start services to Durban, provide ad-hoc advice to the DTPC on all air transport matters, as well as provide strategic support on reactive and proactive bases in respect of air services and route development services.

The winning bidder would be required to have proven experience in global aviation strategy and route development and will have to use their networks and industry knowledge to further the development of passenger cargo air services to the KSIA.

Interested parties had until February 15 to submit their proposals at the DTPC offices.

Dube TradePort supply chain management officer Vanishree Naidoo told Engineering News Online the preferred bidder was anticipated to be announced by March 15.

She indicated that the successful bidder would be expected to start providing services by no later than two weeks from the appointment date.

The DTPC was established by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government to develop the R2.5-billion Dube TradePort air logistics complex at the KSIA.

The multimodal development comprises an international airport, acargo terminal, Dube City, TradeZone, AfriZone, an international technology platform, associated property development in the support zone and associated support services and activities.