Infrastructure Remains a Concern in Brazil Ahead of Mega-Events

Ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, infrastructure concerns are rapidly increasing in Brazil.

President-elect Dilma Rousseff has pledged to rebuild and revitalize airports, roads, ports, railways and power plants as part of efforts to improve infrastructure. Her administration may create an agency or secretariat for aerospace issues, Valor Economico newspaper reported Nov. 23.

Such a plan “makes sense,” Rosangela Ribeiro, an analyst at brokerage SLW Corretora said in a phone interview from Sao Paulo. “We have a big infrastructure problem, and this jeopardizes the flights. I think it can have a positive result.”

Rio Must Act to Avoid Airport `Disaster' Before World Cup, Governor Says
Bloomberg
December 17, 2010

Airports a Potential Embarrassment for Brazil

The Brazilian Sports Minister is warning that the country's airport infrastructure will be an embarrassment for the country during the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro if not improved.

Orlando Silva warned that not enough progress was being made in improving airports in the vast country which depends almost exclusively on air transport for long-distance travel.

"Today, I have a very strong concern about our airports," Silva told reporters during the Soccerex conference.

Brazil's airports a potential embarrassment: minister
Reuters
November 23, 2010

Brazil's Airports Blasted as Unready for Crowds

Brazil's airport infrastructure has been blasted by an official at a major airline association as being unready to host crowds associated with the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

The language used by Giovanni Bisignani, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, to describe Brazil's overwhelmed airports at an industry conference Thursday was some of the harshest criticism yet leveled at the nation on the topic.

"Brazil is Latin America's largest and fastest growing economy but air transport infrastructure is a growing disaster," he told industry leaders at a meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association in Panama. The organization represents 230 airlines around the world.

Air transport group critical of Brazil's airports
November 19, 2010

New Terminal Opens at Sochi Airport

A new $200 million USD terminal has opened at the Sochi airport, the first of the city's broad Olympics-related projects to complete.

The terminal is the first major facility commissioned for the games and ticks off a box on Russia’s long to-do list in preparation for the event.

The new terminal is fully operational and services both domestic and international flights. It boasts the latest know-how in ecological and resource efficiency and the most modern equipment, the company said in a statement.

New Sochi Airport Terminal Opens
The Moscow Times
September 17, 2010

Brazilian Airport Updates Behind Schedule

Work has been slow to complete on Brazil's airports, which officials have pledged to update ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Local authorities and tournament organizers have acknowledged that the airports' lack of capacity is one of the main concerns in Brazil's preparations and that significant improvements are needed to accommodate the expected 600,000 World Cup visitors.

A recent report by a government watchdog known as the Brazilian Audit Court warned that renovations in some airports may not be completed by 2014.

Brazil yet to start work on most World Cup airports
GMANews
August 13, 2010

Airport Capacity a Concern in Brazil Ahead of 2014

A new report warns that Brazil's airport capacity is too low to handle the expected 146 million travelers entering the country by 2014. Airport expansion is one of the priorities of the government ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

For years, infrastructure bottlenecks have been one of Brazil's biggest problems as growing auto sales and airline travel, along with a furious expansion in commodities industries, have put strains on ports, highways and airports.

Brazil is already under fire for being behind on construction of stadiums and other World Cup infrastructure.

A report by the consulting firm McKinsey and Co said at the close of 2009, seven of Brazil's 20 principal airports were struggling with overcrowding in both passenger areas and plane berths that frequently led to delays or canceled flights.

Brazil airport capacity lags as World Cup looms
Reuters via Fox News
July 27, 2010

Brazilian Cities Allowed Higher Debt Ahead of 2014 World Cup

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced that his government will invest more than $3.5 billion in port upgrades ahead of the 2014 World Cup, and that the country's 12 host cities will be allowed to rack up higher levels of debt to make sure they are prepared.

During the ceremony to launch the decree, the president announced that 3.545 billion will be allocated to upgrade airports and ports in the twelve cities hosting the soccer tournament in 2014.

"Things are going very quickly," said Lula, countering criticism of his government for delays in works, which he attributed to the "folly" of people who have no patience with the ritual required to put projects into practice.

Brazil tighten steps for 2014 World Cup, 2016 Olympics
People's Daily Online
July 20, 2010

A new rail line is being built in Russia that will connect to the airport in Sochi, host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Russian Railways is building a rail line from Adler to Sochi Airport. The new intermodal line will ensure comfortable high-speed transport for guests and participants at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The estimated capacity of the line will be more than 86,000 people per day, or up to 60% of all air passengers travelling to the Olympics. The line is scheduled to be launched in 2012.

Rail line from Adler to Sochi Airport to open in 2012
Rail-News.com
July 16, 2010

Durban Nearly Ready for the World Cup

Officials in Durban are confident that the city's preparations for the WOrld Cup will be complete within the next few weeks, even the troubled cable car on the arch at the new Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Michael Sutcliffe, speaking to The Associated Press at the SportsAccord International Convention, said King Shaka International Airport will be open this weekend and the Moses Mabhida railway station just outside the new 70 000-seat stadium will be open in 10 days. All road upgrades should be done by the middle of May, he said.

"The infrastructure, it's all there," Sutcliffe said. "You are getting a vibe happening."

Even the cable car at the stadium should be ready to go this week.

Durban almost ready for SWC
News 24
April 26, 2010

Cape Town International Airport Expands

Expecting growing crowds in coming years, an expansion of Cape Town International Airport is nearly complete, setting the airport up to handle upwards of 14 million travelers a year.

In 2005, the modest regional airport, designed to carry just four million travellers, was struggling to process eight million people.

But after five years of construction, the R2.3bn transformation into a world-class masterpiece is nearing completion in time for the World Cup.

It will give the Western Cape and the city an airport that has already been named the best airport in Africa.

Cape shows off multi-billion rand make-overs
Cape Argus
April 23, 2010

The Transport Legacy of the World Cup

South African Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says the country's transportation infrastructure will be ready to handle the crowds during the World Cup, and that transportation will be the most important long-term impact of the World Cup.

Turning to road transport, the minister said his department would have in place an inter-provincial and regional transport system operated by the recently appointed Operating Managing Entity (OME).

"The OME will facilitate the efficient and safe transport of general spectators to and from matches."

A major component of the entity would be 110 newly acquired 79-seater inter-city buses, specially procured by the government for the World Cup.

A first-class national integrated transport system using the newly acquired Auto Pax coach fleet integrated with the taxi industry had been created.

SWC to 'leave transport legacy'
News24
April 20, 2010

Durban Looks to Unload Old Airport

Durban's new King Shaka International Airport is set to open for operations on May 1. When it opens, the city's old airport will no longer be needed, so the Airports Company South Africa is looking to sell the land. But how long it takes could impact how long it takes for the city to recoup the money it invested in building the new airport, which is expected to see significant traffic during the World Cup.

From May 1, Durban will be served by the new King Shaka International Airport at La Mercy, built at a cost of R7bn.

Melomoney said the sale of the old site was dependent not only on Acsa, but on the national and provincial governments. Both Acsa and the government have previously stated they will not sell the old Durban airport to anyone who is going to operate it as an airport, as that would provide competition to the new airport.

Durban airport put up for sale
Fin 24
April 16, 2010

Home Affairs Department To Ease Processing of International Fans at Ports

South Africa's Home Affairs department has instituted temporary practices to ease the processing of foreign visitors into the country during the World Cup. Free visas for foreign visitors attending games, passenger processing systems and new lanes at airports for foregin visitors are some of the measures being taken to ease the flood of visitors. Other measures will also be put in place, including one that aims to "track" foreign visitors around the country.

A 24-hour operations centre had been established in Pretoria to handle any problems that might arise.

Briefing the media earlier on Wednesday, Dlamini-Zuma said her department was also setting up a system to track and facilitate the movement of foreign visitors around the country.

"We are making sure we have an integrated system at our ports of entry that can assist us both in the security, but also in the facilitation of movement of people.

Home Affairs ready for 2010 SWC
News24
April 14, 2010

Police Chief OKs Johannesburg Airport

South Africa's police minister has deemed the upgraded OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg ready and safe to welcome teams and tourists during the World CUp.

"We are satisfied with the progress made at the airport and I am confident that the world cup will be safe. Our law enforcement agencies are ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," he said.

Mthethwa was visiting the country's largest port of entry on Tuesday as part of his ongoing campaign to check the state of readiness of all ports of entry, including airports and borders before the mega tournament.

South Africa: Or Tambo Ready to Welcome 2010 Guests
BuaNews
January 26, 2010

Prices Jump for Flights During World Cup

Airline prices spike ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Sue Botes, commercial manager of British Airways in SA, said many flights, particularly near the start and end of the tournament, were sold out and only seats in the higher category were available.

South Africa: Prices Spike in Scramble for World Cup Flight Tickets
Business Day
November 27, 2009

Gautrain Operation Set to Begin Late

The Gautrain regional train system will not be operational until half-way through the World Cup tournament, according to Gautrain officials. The regional system had planned to have the first leg of its system operational between Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo International Airport in time for the 2010 World Cup, beginning in June.

Organisers of South Africa 2010 had hoped fans would arrive at Johannesburg airport and board a high-speed train to the commercial centre.

Instead, most football fans' first experience will now be a taxi or a shuttle bus and more than likely a sizable traffic jam, our correspondent says.

For the past three years builders have been working on the Gautrain - an ambitious $3.5bn (£2bn) project linking Johannesburg, Pretoria and the airport.

Contractors, under pressure to complete before next June's deadline, demanded an additional $180m (£107m) to accelerate their work and hit the target.

SA World Cup rail project delayed
BBC
November 9, 2009

Cape Town's New Terminal Makes Airport Truly International

After five years of development, a new terminal has opened at Cape Town International Airport -- part of the country's infrastructural improvements ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

The multi-billion-rand Central Terminal Building has 120 check-in counters, 20 self-service check-in machines, eight air bridges, 11 bus gates and an automated baggage-sorting system.

The terminal cost R1.6 billion.

New terminal hailed as a success
Weekend Argus
November 8, 2009

New Terminal Opens at Cape Town International

A new terminal at Cape Town International Airport has opened, and officials are calling it ready to handle the crowds expected during the 2010 World Cup.

Cape Town International Airport's readiness has been put to the test shortly before Terminal 2010 - the new multi-million-rand central terminal building - opens.

A mass simulation exercise with 500 participants, including airport staff, porters and dummy passengers, was held last week to test the readiness of the new terminal ahead of the opening next Saturday.

South Africa: Cape Airport 'Ready'
Cape Argus
October 30, 2009

Airport Infrastructure Expanded Ahead of World Cup

As part of efforts to update the country's airport infrastructure ahead of the 2010 World Cup, a new terminal is set to open this Fall at Cape Town International Airport.

Terminal 2010, the multimillion-rand central terminal building under construction at Cape Town International Airport, is to be opened on November 7 - months before schedule, the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) says.

Construction of the R1,5-billion, five-storey terminal is more than 90 percent complete.

The terminal has 120 check-in counters, 20 self-service check-in machines, eight air bridges, 11 bus gates, and an automated baggage sorting system.

Early opening for new airport hub
Cape Argus
September 21, 2009

Calls to Privatize South African Airways

Officials are calling for the privatization of South African Airways, which is funded by the national government. Leaders from the Democratic Alliance are pushing for privatization in an effort to reduce costs to the state and improve efficiency.

The official opposition on Tuesday charged that the monopoly the state-owned airlines held was "not healthy" for private sector competition and was costing the state too much.

The government in 2008 bailed out SAA to the tune of R1,6-billion, and the airline company told Parliament in June that it might need another injection of R1,5bn in 2009.

SAA 'costing state too much'
The Star
August 5, 2009