South Africa will build a new airport in the eastern port city of Durban before hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Transport Minister Jeff Radebe has announced.

"I am pleased to announce that the airport at La Mercy will be operational, and the Durban International Airport de-commissioned in the first quarter of 2010," Radebe said.

"The key date in that process being that all construction shall be completed by December 2009. The airport will then be commissioned by the first quarter of 2010, well in time for the 2010 World Cup," he said in a statement.

Durban, South Africa's third largest city, is one of the 10 venues for the World Cup which is being held in Africa for the first time.

South Africa has undertaken massive projects to upgrade and expand infrastucture before the 2010 deadline.

Sapa-AFP
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge