Aeronautics coming to Coega?

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has announced that it is beginning to take the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) to the skies: the CDC is undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study to assess the feasibility of establishing a cargo airport and an aeronautical and aerospace industrial cluster.

Located in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, the planned cluster will be located in Zone 14 of the Coega IDZ, which currently stretches across 2 086 hectares of land.

Possible aeronautical and aerospace industrial manufacturing activity includes manufacturing of helicopters, aerospace engines, auxiliary equipment and parts, and propulsion units. The industry could also contribute to aerospace product prototypes, aircraft conversion and aircraft overhaul and rebuilding.

“Feasibility work done by industry experts has shown great potential for this project,” says Mogamad Sadick Davids, CDC metallurgy business development manager.

“Through the environmental impact assessment, we are a few steps closer to developing a possible new industry for Nelson Mandela Bay, ensuring further broadening of the economic base and growth through diversified industrial sectors and development for the region,” he continues.

Included in the plans is the construction of a cargo and industrial airport that can serve aeronautical and aerospace industrial manufacturing.

“This will also offer tenants and investors in the Coega IDZ an immediate facility for air transport, which has been well received by the industry,” says Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.