On Saturday, the first passengers checked-in at the Cape Town International airport's new central terminal building.
The new central terminal building (CTB) is a five storey building which combines the check-in process for both international and domestic passengers. The R1.6 billion CTB has 120 check-in counters, 20 self service check-in machines and a consolidated security screening point covering an area of 50 000m2.
In addition to the enhanced check-in facilities, the retail facility has almost doubled, moving from 44 retailers and restaurants to 74. The CTB boasts a new R103 million baggage sortation system that operates 3000 bags per hour and is fully automated as well as additional passenger loading bridges – a first for Domestic users.
To facilitate vehicular movement at the airport, the road network is also undergoing an upgrade. The new drop off road is now situated right in front of the terminal building. The entire road network project will be completed in March 2010 at a cost of R120 million.
This does not mark the end of construction at the airport. Other projects to be completed in March 2010 include a consolidated car rental facility, transport plaza, multi-storey parkade and aircraft parking stands.
