Tshireletso Motlogelwa
8 August 2008
Gaborone — The architectural design of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport's new terminal has the shape of a diamond.
According to a statement from Samuel Mbaiwa of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the design is intended to introduce Botswana to every visitor as a world leader in the diamond industry. Botswana is the world's largest producer of diamond by value.
According to the artist's impressions of the P433 million terminal, the roof design features the use of glass, sharp lines and corners in reference to the mineral. Furthermore, the interior will be 'open' allowing in much more natural light.
The new airport terminal is expected to accommodate the growing traffic up to the year 2025 with capacity to handle up to 976 per hour at peak times.
The terminal will not replace the old one but rather the latter will be refurbished and upgraded so it fuses with the former into one architectural identity.
"The concept is based on a central hall perpendicular to the existing terminal building and covering the space between landside and airside. The central hall will function as a spine and will be used for the organisation of the departure and arrival facilities including passenger, public services and common facilities such as retail, F&B and rental space such as airline offices and business facilities," the ministry explains in the statement.
The passenger related facilities such as check-in, waiting and circulation areas for metres, greeters and passengers including retail and F&B (Food and Beverages) will be mainly located in the central hall of the new terminal building. The first floor would comprise of airport offices, and conference facilities while the second floor will consist of service providers, the statement adds.
The new design will feature a single air bridge for wide-bodied jets, with the provision for adding another with other future expansions of the terminal.
The construction of the new terminal started in April and is due for completion in early 2010 in time for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
Another aspect of the airport redevelopment is the construction of a parallel taxiway linking the terminal apron to the runway and the extension of the runway from the present 3000m to 4000m. The upgrade would, therefore, make provision for landing of B747s or aircraft of similar class.
"The proposed upgrading also meets the requirement of additional facilities for the proposed World Cup scheduled for 2010 in RSA wherein SSKA can serve fully as an alternate airport to Johannesburg International Airport. Provision of full length taxiway with adequate intermediate exit taxiways will optimise the use of the runway," says the statement.
This phase of the redevelopment started early this year and is due for completion in early 2010. The construction work was awarded on April 8 at a cost of P 292 million with date of completion with as January 2010.
The project will be funded loans from the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Finance and Development Planning Ministers, Baledzi Gaolathe, has tabled bills for parliament to approve the loans.
The House recently debated the OPEC Bill, which is now in the second stage while the BADEA loan Bill is in the first stage.
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