The 25-year master plan for Gauteng’s Aerotropolis project will go through a process of approval and adoption during June and July, says Aerotroplis project manager Jack van der Merwe.

“We are also in the process of putting together a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to run the project,” he adds.

The SPV will be formed by government, and will be a single point of contact for all aerotropolis stakeholders. It will also lead, manage, coordinate and drive the implementation of the Aerotropolis master plan.

It will also need to create a funding model for the development.

Van der Merwe regards the Aerotropolis development around OR Tambo International Airport “as more of a process, than a project”.

An aerotropolis will develop around an international airport spontaneously, but if the development is planned and properly structured, one can maximise the benefits to the area and the country, he notes.

“The customer of any aerotropolis is one flight away. What can Ekurhuleni sell in Hong Kong and in Frankfurt?

“This means the aerotropolis is not competing with Johannesburg of Tshwane, but with Schipol, Memphis and Denver.”

Van der Merwe says the critical factors necessary for the success of an aerotropolis is the time-distance relationship, with the right sectors located at the optimal travel time from the airport.

Appropriate land-use policy is also essential.

Transportation investment is also important so as to ensure seamless connectivity for time-sensitive goods.

Sectors typically located zero to five minutes away from the airport should be fast-cycle logistics, aviation-related industries, and bio-logistics.

Advanced manufacturing, aerospace and bio-life sciences and diagnostics should be five to ten minutes away from the airport.

Manufacturing, tourism, sports and recreation and logistics should be 10 to 15 minutes away from the airport, with renewable energy, agribusiness and professional services more than 15 minutes away.

Projects targeted by the Aerotropolis team to start development within the next two years include the Denel Mega City Aviation and Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct focusing on, for example, engine testing and aerospace composite manufacturing; as well as a multi-tenant industrial air cargo logistics hub.

Another project is a South African Post Office e-commerce hub, focused on handling parcels associated with e-commerce; and a temperature-controlled cold-chain village.

Van der Merwe expects the Aerotropolis development to create 266 000 jobs, as a conservative estimate, by 2040.

As government is focussed on job creation and the alleviation of poverty, he is positive the Aerotropolis investment will receive the appropriate funding support.

* Van der Merwe spoke at the Intelligent Transport Society South Africa’s i-Transport conference, held in Johannesburg.