The plan by Transnet SOC Ltd. to build a harbor on the old Durban airport site may be dashed should the Virginia airport be moved to there.

With container traffic expected to increase six-fold, Transnet saw the old airport site as great location to construct the much needed port which would handle a lot of the load.

The new port would be part of Government’s plans to enhance the transport links between Durban and Gauteng.

Relocating Virginia airport to the Transnet site “is only one option,” city spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said by phone from Durban. “Nothing has been concluded.”

Transnet, which took transfer of the land on Oct. 1, is “in the process of pre-feasibility studies and business plans,” Marc Descoins, program director for dug out port operations, said by phone from Durban.

“There are no plans to accommodate an airport and no approach has been received from the municipality. It is highly unlikely that we could accommodate an airport as the area has been decommissioned.”