Ownership Changes At Lanseria Bolster Airport Aspirations

Restructuring of ownership at Gautengs Lanseria International Airport is expected to unlock significant capital for infrastructure projects planned to transform the facility into a regional and global aviation hub.

Two of the airports major shareholders the Government Employees Pension Fund GEPF and the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund PAIDF have announced changes in their shareholdings as part of strategic realignment and restructuring of investment in the airport.

The GEPF will increase its shareholding while the PAIDF will transfer its interest to a newly formed investment vehicle called Harith InfraCo Limited. The realignment is the first significant change since 2013 when the GEPF, together with the PAIDF and an empowerment consortium led by Nozala Investments, acquired ownership of the airport.

Lanseria International Airport CEO Rampa Rammopo said the changes clearly signal shareholders confidence in the airports growth potential and operational excellence while unlocking the investment needed for key projects. These include the development of a cargo precinct, maintenance repair overhaul MRO facility and fixed base operator FBO precinct. Lanseria also plans to upgrade its taxiway infrastructure, including a new fuel farm.

Around R1 billion 54m has been allocated for the MRO and FBO projects, which are expected to begin in 2026 for completion in 2031. The R200 million 10.8m taxiway upgrade, expected to be completed in 2027, will allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. The R140 million 7.5m fuel farm will add approximately six million litres of Jet A1 fuel and Avgas to the current one million-litre capacity.