Sibusiso Ndebele MP, minister of Transport said on Monday that he had formed a steering committee to advise on the disposing of the old Durban International Airport site.

Speaking at the results announcement of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Ndebele said: "We have formed a steering committee which is made up of the Department of Transport, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, ACSA, City of EThekwini among others to advise on the best use-options for the land and to determine the process to be followed in disposing of this land.

"The Department of Transport remains responsible for the land. We will ensure however that due process is followed to obtain the best proposal on the table.

"A Request for Expressions of Interest will ensure that all interested parties bar none, are given the opportunity to submit proposals on the land.

"It is our intention that this process is completed in the shortest time possible in the interest of all bidders and the country as a whole. We will make further announcements in the coming weeks," he said.

He noted that ACSA handled more than 32 million passengers annually. The number was expected to grow to 43 million in 2010 and beyond.

"This means airports in South Africa may have to double capacity every nine years to keep up with demands from airlines, passengers and supporting services. In line with this a certain regulatory environment is a key necessity of a successful aviation sector."

Source: I-Net Bridge