GQEBERHA – Passengers travelling through Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport can expect a smoother journey in the coming years as Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) invests approximately R4 billion in infrastructure upgrades at the Gqeberha airport.

The investment is expected to reduce waiting times by increasing processing capacity at key passenger touchpoints, including check-in, security screening and boarding, while paving the way for a major terminal expansion.

The R4 billion investment forms part of ACSA’s R21 billion infrastructure programme across its airport network. Approximately R4 billion has been earmarked for Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, where the first phase of the development programme, the Terminal Capacity Optimisation Project, is already underway.

Construction on the optimisation project began on 26 June and is expected to be completed by 16 November 2026. According to ACSA, the project remains on schedule.

ACSA Group spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe said the project forms part of the company’s long-term infrastructure investment programme.

“The Terminal Capacity Optimisation Project forms part of ACSA’s long-term infrastructure investment programme aimed at ensuring that the airport’s infrastructure keeps pace with future passenger demand while enhancing operational efficiency and the overall customer experience,” he shared with the PE Express.

Rather than constructing a new terminal, the current project focuses on upgrading and reconfiguring the existing terminal to improve its efficiency, functionality and capacity. The work includes reconfiguring the terminal layout to improve passenger flow.

It also involves upgrading the check-in, security screening and boarding gate areas, improving the use of existing terminal space during peak travel periods and making targeted operational improvements. “The planned upgrades will deliver reduced waiting times by increasing processing capacity at key passenger touchpoints, including check-in, security screening and boarding,” Dijoe said.

He said this would be achieved through the expansion of dedicated security queuing lanes, the addition of check-in counters and the reopening of an additional boarding gate. Other improvements include upgraded seating areas and passenger amenities, improved accessibility and modernised infrastructure designed to streamline the journey from arrival at the airport through to boarding.

Looking ahead, a major terminal expansion planned for 2030 is expected to increase the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity from approximately 1.7 million to 3.5 million passengers.

The expansion will also include the construction of a multi-storey parkade to improve accessibility and accommodate future passenger growth.

Plans are also in place to relocate and expand the airport’s fire station to strengthen emergency response capability and operational resilience.
In addition, runway and taxiway rehabilitation projects will be undertaken to extend the lifespan of these critical assets, maintain regulatory compliance and ensure continued operational safety.

“The current Terminal Capacity Optimisation Project is the first step in this broader development programme, addressing current operational pressures while preparing the airport for the larger terminal expansion planned for 2030,” Dijoe said.

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