Angola: MP Backs Construction of New Airport in Mbanza Kongo - A member of National Assembly, Carlito Roberto, Monday in northern Zaire province defended the need to build a new airport for the provincial capital, Mbanza Kongo. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: FG Supports Osun Airport Bid - The Federal Government at the weekend assured the Osun State Government of its support in ensuring the take-off of an airport in the state. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: House Halts N64 Billion Abuja Airport Runway Project - The House of Representatives yesterday ordered the Federal Ministry of Aviation to suspend further works on the N63.5 billion second Abuja Airport runway project pending the completion of its investigation into matter. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Representatives Accuse Minister of Inflating N4 Billion Airport Contract to N63 Billion - Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday accused Minister of Aviation, Babatunde Omotoba, of cashing in on the absence of President Umaru Yar'Adua from the country to inflate an airport contract of N4 billion to N63 billion. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Asaba Airport Begins Operations in May - As the euphoria to have Asaba International Airport put into use grows by the day, the state government has assured that come May this year, the airport would be delivered for use. [AA Construction]

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Johannesburg - Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has assured traveling soccer fans that there was no need to worry about a shortage of fuel during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"ACSA is confident that the operational plans in place will ensure that no aviation fuel shortages are experienced during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"As such, it has received priority attention with the overall plan and contingencies have been presented to and accepted by Parliament on 10 February," said ACSA general manager Chris Hlekane on Tuesday.

He said a working committee had also been set up to co-ordinate the fuel supply to airports, adding that a daily plan for fuel usage and delivery had been developed specifically for the month-long tourney. - BuaNews

2010 World Cup a love story - Blatter

Durban - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has described the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup as a "love story" that was becoming a reality.

"The FIFA Soccer World Cup in Africa is a love story and I am happy that this love story is coming together and is becoming a real wedding party. Africans have waited for a very long time; the dream is now a reality.

Tanzania: Dar es Salaam Airport to Handle Over 30 Planes an Hour - The modernisation of JK Nyerere International Airport, to be completed in July this year, will enable it to handle more than 30 planes an hour, up from the current 11. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: FAAN Lauds Goje Over Airport - A Board member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Hon. Hamisu Mu'azu Shira, has commended the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, for the establishment of a world-class international airport in the state, which would not only step up the socio-economic and commercial activities in the state but boost the tourism potentials of the North-east zone of the country. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Firefighters Identify Inadequate Fire Cover at Airports - Members of the Nigerian Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA) has identified lack of sufficient fire cover and the poor state of the existing ones across the nation's airports as a major challenges confronting them in the course of discharging their duties. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Work Begins On Enugu Airport Runway - Work on the runway of the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, has started in earnest, according to its Manager, Mr. Chigbo Nwobu. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Kabale to Get First Airstrip - THE Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved the construction of the first airstrip in Kabale district. [AA Construction]

Mozambique: Nacala Airport Construction to Start in April - The construction of an international airport at Nacala, in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula is due to start in April, according to the spokesperson for the Mozambican government, Deputy Justice Minister Alberto Nkutumula. [AA Construction]

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Pretoria - The new La Mercy airport, north of Durban, has officially been named King Shaka International Airport.

After a series of public consultations with relevant stakeholders, the KwaZulu-Natal Government submitted the name to the South African Geographical Names Council.

On Tuesday, Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana approved the airport's proposed name. The airport is expected to be ready for operation in May this year.

Xingwana also approved the renaming of Piet Retief in Mpumalanga to eMkhondo as well as the correction of the spellings of some of KwaZulu-Natal's village names.

Due to technical matters identified late last week, Xingwana has retracted the registration of the Tshwane municipal council name as a geographical feature.

The Ministry has instructed officials to do more work on the matter.

"As government we believe geographical name standardisation is at the heart of our social cohesion project," she said. - BuaNews

Nigeria: Enugu Airport Closes for Renovation - The Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, will be closed to traffic as from February 10 to allow for the renovation and extension of its runway, its Manager, Mr Chigbo Nwobu, has said. The closure is to last for one year. [AA Construction]

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana is expected to announce next week whether she approves of the new La Mercy airport, north of Durban, being named King Shaka International Airport.

After a series of public consultation with relevant stakeholders, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government submitted the name King Shaka International Airport to the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC).

Member of the SAGNC, Mandla Mathebula, told BuaNews that during their meeting on Thursday, they endorsed the name and sent it to the minister for approval.

"By the end of next week, the minister would be in possession of our submission on her desk," he said.

In terms of the South African Geographical Names Council Act of 1998, objectors have one month from the announcement of the minister's approval of a new name to submit written objections.

Based on the objections, Xingwana may decide to uphold the new name, or to refer the decision back to the council for reconsideration.

In every case she has to provide the complainants with the reasons for her decision.