Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has started to implement elements of its new operational strategy, says chairperson Skhumbuzo Macozoma.

"It's very important to have sound corporate governance in a company like ACSA," he said at a briefing on Friday. "I'm happy to announce we've finalised a 2025 Corporate Strategy."

The 2025 strategy has three main pillars or focus areas. They are: to run airports, develop airports and to grow the company's footprint.

Currently, ACSA operates nine airports across South Africa, including the three main ones (OR Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International). The company also has footprints in Brazil and India, and a presence in Ghana.

"We're on the verge of signing a contract to run Mthatha Airport," pointed out ACSA CEO Bongani Maseko. "And we're doing work at Wonderboom Airport."

Under the rubric of developing airports, "we're embracing the aerotropolis concept," affirmed Macozoma. As for expanding the company's footprint, he noted that its target areas were Africa, Latin America and Asia.

"We have an offering for the rest of the continent," stated Maseko. "We have an offering for the rest of the world." He cited the company's success at São Paulo International Airport in Brazil.

ACSA's revenues increased by 6.8% to R8.3-billion in 2015/16, compared with R7.8-billion in 2014/15. Annual profit rose by 20.3% from R1.6-billion to R1.96-billion.

Its interest-bearing borrowings declined by 13.1% from R11.3-billion to R9.8-billion. The company met 96% of its performance indicators.

The company's performance was boosted by three main factors. One was the introduction of new routes by, in particular, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines and increased frequencies on existing routes by notably British Airways and Emirates Airlines. The second factor was an increase in passenger numbers and the third was an increase in revenues from the company's nonaeronautical (mainly commercial sector) activities.