Pretoria - Operations at Durban's new airport, King Shaka International, got off to a smooth start with the first flight taking off five minutes ahead of schedule this morning said Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
ACSA spokesperson, Colin Naidoo, said while the first day was busy, all was under control.
"Operations are going absolutely very smooth and we are very excited the number of people that are here you would think you are in a shopping mall," Naidoo said.
He said transition from the old Durban International airport also went very well with no major challenges reported.
South African Airways (SAA) marked the opening of the new airport, situated north of Durban, with a special test flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport on Friday. But the first commercially operated flight landed at the airport at exactly 08:03 am on Saturday morning.
SAA spokesperson, Fani Zulu, said: "Day one of the transition has been very seamless and we would like to thank ACSA for the assistance they provided to the airline."
He said the last of SAA's aircrafts, including ground handling equipment, was moved to the new airport last night.
"It is such an exciting moment for all of us and we are looking forward to smooth operation as we move to the future," Zulu said.
SAA operates 109 return flights from per week between Johannesburg and Durban. The airline was among the first to operate from the King Shaka International when it officially opened for commercial airline activity.
The new airport will be able to process 7.5 million passengers per annum and in addition will alleviate the pressure on the Durban-Johannesburg route by facilitating more than 50 000 tons of manufactured goods produced in the region directly from the local airport
