Photo from Cape Town Blog

Yesterday saw the opening of the brand new departure terminal at the Cape Town International Airport.

The R1.6-billion departure terminal has been designed with some impressive features to ease the flow of people, baggage and vehicles.

As the 2010 FIFA World Cup draws closer and the upgrade to the airport surges ahead, the airport authorities have handled the demands of keeping air traffic, passengers and cargo moving while revamping the buildings and introducing new, world-class systems. For the last few months the new systems and processes have been put through their paces by airport staff, airlines, retailers and other businesses that operate at the airport in preparation for opening day.

To help ease with the transition from old to new the Cape Town International Airport has produced booklets which will be handed out to people for them to help find their way around the new terminal. The new terminal is a departure terminal for domestic and international flights. It boasts a 200m long departure hall, 120 check in counters and 20 self service kiosks. It also has a new drop of zone, centralised security checkpoint, five new air-bridges, a viewing deck and 30 shops and restaurants.

Comming in the next few months will be the R394-million parkade with 4000 parking bays, extra aircraft bays, more air-bridges, a bigger car hire area, a public transport plaza and an upgrade of the road system in the airport grounds.

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