Name and Location
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport upgrade and expansion project, Gaborone, Botswana.

Project Description
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport serves Botswana’s capital city of Gaborone and it is the country’s busiest airport in terms of passenger volumes.

The airport’s daily operations are currently facing a number of constraints. With a maximum capacity of 225 people, the passenger terminal building is unable to accommodate the steadily growing passenger movement. In terms of intercontinental flights, the existing runway can only handle large aeroplanes, with the imposition of a load penalty and the absence of a taxiway limiting flight landings and takeoffs.

In support of Botswana’s aim to develop the aviation industry to expand the tourism sector and create employment opportunities, the project will rehabilitate the existing terminal building and construct a new one, bringing the total area from 3 140 m² to 17 000 m².

The enhanced facility will also contain a host of new passenger services. In addition, baggage handling and screening equipment will be installed, and personnel will receive training in its operation and maintenance. Finally, the runway will also be rehabilitated and a new 4 000 m parallel taxiway built.

Value
Total project costs are estimated at $120-million.

Duration
Construction is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2011.

Client
The Ministry of Works and Transport, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB).

Key Contracts and Suppliers
SinoHydro corporation (main contractor); Netherlands Airport Consultants (Naco) in joint venture (JV) with Stewart Scott International (SSI) (project managers and architects); Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa with the Opec Fund for International Development (cofinanciers); Pego Projects (quantity surveyor); G4 Consulting Engineers (mechanical and electrical engineer); Pula Consultants (structural engineer); SSI Botswana (civil engineer); and Loci Environmental (environmental consultant).

Latest Developments
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
The expansion was initially intended to help the airport increase its capacity levels during the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by neighbouring South Africa; however, it missed the deadline. Construction is now expected to be completed in the third half of 2011.

Contact Details for Project Information
CAAB, tel +267 368 8200, fax +267 391 3121/2222 or email caab@caab.co.bw.
Naco/SSI JV regional manager (Africa) Floyd de Kruijff, tel +27 12 367 5800 or email floyddk@ssi.co.za.
Naco, tel +31 70 344 6300, fax +31 70 324 4302 or email naco-haag@naco.dhv.com.