The abandoned airport that once served 250m passengers in Africa but is now a ‘ghost town’ | World | News
An airport in Africa, once the pride of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Durban) in South Africa, is now a shambles of its former self.
The old Durban International Airport was abandoned in 2010 and has remained largely unused for over 14 years.
The airport was once the third-busiest in South Africa but was abandoned in favour of a new airport north of the city.
The new improved King Shaka International Airport was built just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup which welcomed around 309,554 international visitors to the country, according to the South African government.
As all eyes and funds were placed on King Shaka International Airport, the old Durban International Airport fell to the waste side and has become increasingly desolate over the years.
Today, the airport is currently in legal limbo with a bout of corruption and court battles further perpetuating its ghost town existence.
Durban International Airport first opened in 1951 and saw around 250 million passengers a year passing through its doors.
The airport remained the hub of South African travel during its nearly six decades of operation.
It was also used by the South African Air Force and the Police Air Wing during the 2010 FIFA World Cup but was later decommissioned.
In 2012, airport ownership was transferred from the Airports Company South Africa to Transnet for nearly £88,219,000 (R2 billion).
A private company known as Seaworld Aviation also tried to salvage the airport and return it to its former glory. This included an ambitious plan to have smaller airlines use the old airport in the hopes that it would further boost tourism in the city.
In June 2017, Transnet signed a lease to operate the airport for 10 years between 2017 and 2027.
However, these bold initiatives were put on hold as Transnet and Seaworld became embroiled in litigation stemming from issues over the contract they both signed.
As plans for a refurbished airport were put on hold, Transnet has been leasing out parts of the old airport, including the main runway, which is being used to store vehicles.
Despite some parts being used, much of the old airport has remained completely untouched. Tenants who previously lived there caused destruction by smashing down walls, cutting through buildings, and even repurposing storage tanks meant for aviation fuel.
There have been rumours over the years of converting the old airport site into a hub for low-cost airlines or perhaps turning it into another airport.
However, the £8,821,900 (R200 million) cost of renovating this project has seen these plans shelved, and the airport remains desolate and eerily quiet.
