South Africa's Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) is preparing for the World Cup, which kicks off in just a few weeks, and will then be available as an exciting investment opportunity.
With the World Cup in South Africa fast approaching, one airport that many people may not have heard of - Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) - is gearing up to welcome thousands of soccer fans.
For an airport that is known for discretely and warmly welcoming many international celebrities, ensuring that the expected large number of international visitors for the World Cup will enjoy a similarly smooth and problem-free visit is all part of its unique combination of airport services.
KMIA, developed and owned by ABB, is located only a few miles from the famous Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga region, and has only been open since 2002. The airport's African-themed architecture utilises a thatch roof, which covers an area of over 7,000 square metres (equivalent to two football pitches). The unique aesthetics and décor of this building help blend it into the surrounding bushveld. KMIA has become a favourite and unique landmark for passengers and visitors. Not surprisingly, given KMIA's location, there is a resident cheetah living within its boundaries.
KMIA's traffic throughout has grown to approximately 250,000 annually (its estimated the World Cup will generate an additional 60,000 passengers),mainly domestic passengers flying on its ever-expanding network of international and domestic services.
There are currently four daily flights to Johannesburg, two daily flights to Durban, three weekly to Vilancoulos in Mozambique, a daily Cape Town flight and three weekly flights to Livingstone in Zambia, with British Airways (Comair), a recent addition to KMIA's regularly scheduled airlines. In addition, KMIA is also actively developing programmes from the UK, Germany and Italy, and is in discussions with a number of European tour operators and charter airlines.
KMIA is located in an exciting and established leisure market in South Africa. Nelspruit (aka Mbombela), the provincial capital, is KMIA's closest large city, and the city's new stadium will play host to four matches in the first round of the World Cup, enabling KMIA to showcase its facilities to visitors from at other nations, including Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Honduras, Italy, North Korea and Serbia.
KMIA is currently investing in its facilities to make the KMIA airport experience even more pleasant and welcoming for its visitors. Expectations are high that KMIA will attract a number of charter services flying fans in for the games. With Johannesburg over four hours driving time away from Nelspruit, the use of KMIA will be advantageous for fans flying into the province. KMIA will allow them to enhance their World Cup experience, enjoying KMIA's warm welcome and hospitality.
After the World Cup, and the associated traffic logistics of such a major event, potential purchasers should need no encouragement to conclude that KMIA is a welcome addition to any portfolio.
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