King Shaka International Airport also known as La Mercy Airport, and abbreviated KSIA, is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa.
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King Shaka International Airport opened in May 2010, was voted the top Regional Airport for Africa in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2014 for the fourth year running, and was second only to Cape Town in the 2013 Airports Council International (ACI) for the Best Airport in the Middle East/Africa category. It is also rated by ACI the Best Airport in the World with 5 million passengers in 2013 and runner up in 2014 for the same category. Currently it is placed 32nd in the Skytrax Top 100 airports.
King Shaka International Airport's retail facilities range from food and beverage outlets to specialty stores, clothing stores, bookstores and convenience stores.There is also a bank, foreign currency exchange facilities, a post office and duty-free shopping facilities. The latest development is a new service station that is being constructed at the airport creating convenience for airport users.Investment and growth surrounding King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) is a major economic catalyst in the region. Currently only 5% of King Shaka International Airport traffic is international, but this sector is a growth opportunity, and Airports Company South Africa works closely with the tourism and hospitality industry to promote KZN.
King Shaka International Airport was the host to the recent and successful ACI Africa conference in October 2014, and Durban has recently been chosen to host the 2015 World Routes Conference, which will attract the major decision makers in the airline and airport industry to our region.The airport was designed for passenger capacity to grow from 7, 5 million in 2010/2011 to 45 million by 2060. The 3.7km runway allows for the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747s to use the airport; and provision was made for a second runway when demand requires this.
King Shaka International Airport is focused on building skills and continuously trains its people. In this, it is supported by Airports Company South Africa, which is well respected within the international aviation industry, and has tried-and-tested systems that create a framework within which the company operates.The Airports Company South Africa maxim “Forward thinking, embracing change” also represents the company's focus as a good corporate citizen. Social Economic Development are a vital response to the socio-economic imperatives of the country, and Airports Company South Africa's social investment projects include mobility, health and welfare, job creation, community development and education, with particular focus on projects that boost infrastructure and education based on promoting tourism in South Africa.
King Shaka International Airport is also on a journey of transformation as we believe that is our corporate duty to include amongst others, capacity building, and empowerment of women, youth, and people with disabilities and to be part of the business opportunities at King Shaka International Airport.
