#Dube Tradeport & King Shaka International Airport - Durban [Part 2]

[dysan1]

hehe thanx for doing mate, i was just about to

the new images give one a great feeling for the terminal layout and space. very nice indeed. glad to see they went with the outside cafe's. As the doci says there will be 4 outdoor stores, with them planning a family restaurant, seafood restaurant, pub and grill and coffee store.

great setting, really like more and more.

[Durbsboi]

[EduardSA]

Thanx Ron2K, awesome renders!!

Anyone have any photo updates on the construction? Should be quite a change since the last posted photo

[romanSA]

Thanks for posting, Ron. You're a star. These renders are the best we've seen so far. If the airport turns out like the renders I'll be thrilled. It will look stunning.

It's also good to see a render of the future expansion of the airport. Looks like the current terminal building will first expand south and north, effectively doubling its size, while the long 'tunnel' will expand north, effectively doubling its north wing, and south, up to about half the length of the parkade (which will then be joined to the terminal building).

The earlier footprint plans for 2060 seemingly showed the main terminal building expanding west, over the outside retail area. Now it looks like the new concourse will be a mirror image of the first, joined by a massive east-west tunnel. At least construction of the new terminal won't disrupt the first terminal in any way. Will be a bitch to get from one end to the other, though, like massive American airports.

All in all, I like the whole proposal. Thanks again for posting, Ron.

[romanSA]

Thanks for posting the retail plans, DB. That's a *lot* of retail compared with what we have now! Will be great. Outside piazza will be a fantastic addition and a unique feature (I don't think I've seen this anywhere else). Well, except if massive storms become a common feature in Durban. LOL!

Are there any retail plans for the departures level?

[dysan1]

download the doci, there are lots in it. Will check if we have posted everything

[romanSA]

Just checked the ACSA document and there is lots of retail on the departure level too. There are also other really cool renders of the terminal interior that I am unable to copy to download and post. Can anyone else who is not having this problem post these renders?

[romanSA]

Looks like the retail for the north side of the departures level (about 40% of the entire level) will be blocked off and for the exclusive use of international travellers (I see emigration check-points and what seems to be a wall separating the 2 sections). That makes sense as the A380 gates on the far north end of the airside tunnel / corridor will be for international travellers. Seems to imply that there will a barrier separating national and international flights somewhere along the airside corridor.

[Cigar]

New photos (taken today) from the guys at Avcom:







Decent, if unspectacular progress over the Christmas break. Good to see the runway moving along well.

[romanSA]

Thanks for posting. That roof is coming along quite fast.

[Ron2K]

Whoah - are those two partially completed airbridges and the beginnings of the airside corridor roof that I see?

[Durbsboi]

Yep! awesome pic's, quite abit of steel work has been done on the roof I see!

[GregPz]

That airside corridor is huge!! Great to see work starting on the aerobridges!

[dysan1]

Ya i noticed those aerobridges too!! I wondered if it was too soon to start on them when its just soil beneath them, not concrete apron yet? that not a problem?

and yes that airside section is big. Its going to be a HUGE change of airline experience. At last when landing in durban you will not feel like you might have landed in small town East London

[Durbsboi]

Those airbridges are the first arm, thats support by a column.

excuse the shody MS paint drawing, but as you see the main arm thats being built now is just half of it, the turning point will be attached later and since this portion just needs the column support, its best its been done now before they pour the final ground apron slab.

[dysan1]

yeah i know there arms and shit, but will this structure not get in the way of the concrete pouring and stuff? if not cool, just thought it would.

hehe thanx for the drawing

[Durbsboi]

Originally Posted by dysan1

yeah i know there arms and shit, but will this structure not get in the way of the concrete pouring and stuff? if not cool, just thought it would.

hehe thanx for the drawing

Judging by the height, they are roughly 4-5m above ground, should they have no problem with the power floating concrete or tar layering.....which ever they opt for. There will be no need for use of a pump if they chose concrete, with it being easy accessible ground area.

[Mo Rush]

go go go!!!

[Mo Rush]

Not sure if its news but I've been told major structural work complete by November 2009 with operations and overlay complete late February 2010. Opening early May 2010.

[juzzy]

when will 1st flight be?