Lanseria International Airport upgrades: What the future holds

CEO of Lanseria International Airport, Rampa Rammopo, has announced that there will be a general aviation transformation and revitalisation programme undertaken at Gauteng’s secondary airport. 3Cube Property Solutions shines the spotlight on the upcoming upgrades and what they will mean for aviation – as well as for commercial and industrial property owners in Gauteng.

Key infrastructure developments at Lanseria

Engineering News reports that at the 2025 Aero South Africa trade show, Lanseria CEO Rampa Rammopo announced that the airport’s revitalisation programme will include several major infrastructure upgrades. Work has begun on the airport’s five-year hangar refurbishment programme, which will help the airport to meet modern operational needs and support growth. Upgrades are also on the cards for the main taxiway.

Rammopo also shared that Lanseria will be introducing a dedicated fixed-base operator precinct. This dedicated zone will be for the use of private aviation services.

Business Tech has shared that key projects forming part of the Lanseria International Airport upgrade include the expansion of the terminal building and parking capacity, as well as relocating the fuel farm and technical facilities.

In response to traveller complaints about the cost of long-term parking, airport management has invested R250 million in a three-storey parkade that will add 1 000 new bays to the airport’s current 3 000.

Looking further into the future, a second runway is on the cards, at a cost of between R1 billion and R2 billion.

Perhaps the most interesting development of all is Lanseria’s drive to improve its cargo facilities. Ground is expected to be broken later in 2025 for a fully-fledged air cargo precinct that will establish Lanseria as a regional logistics hub.

What airport upgrades and logistics hubs mean for industrial businesses

The pending improvements at Lanseria International Airport create strategic advantages for businesses in the precinct. From faster turnaround times for imports and exports to improved supply chains, there are a myriad of ways to take advantage of being located close to a modernised airport. By decentralising air traffic away from O R Tambo International Airport, Lanseria International Airport upgrades provide a less congested and highly accessible logistics hub.

The area around Lanseria International Airport is poised to become a prime logistics hub offering faster air freight and cargo services for time-sensitive goods. There are also logistical advantages for businesses providing services in northwestern Johannesburg, the North West province and even cross-border SADC markets.

Lanseria International Airport upgrades provide a perfect opportunity to invest in commercial or industrial real estate with proximity to the airport. This will allow businesses to capitalise on future demand for office parks, hotels and logistics parks.

Impact on commercial property and mixed-use developments

The impact of Lanseria International Airport upgrades is not limited to industrial properties. The commercial and retail sectors also stand to benefit from the expected boom. There’s scope for new tourism businesses, from shuttle services to tour guides. Restaurants and cafes in the Lanseria precinct are poised to flourish, and hospitality establishments such as hotels and guesthouses are likely to experience increased demand as both business and leisure travel to the area grows.

The improved accessibility and anticipated foot traffic could also attract national retail chains and service providers, further stimulating economic activity and job creation in the region.

Special Economic Zones

Hand in hand with the upgrades at Lanseria International Airport, the Gauteng Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Lanseria Hi-Tech Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which should be operational by 2030. In July 2025, a media statement issued by Lebogang Maile, Gauteng’s Member of the Executive Council, pledged to grow the economy, create much-needed jobs and improve financial management in the province.

Part of this commitment involves working towards launching various SEZs across the province. In the case of the Lanseria Hi-Tech SEZ, the current focus is on finalising the feasibility study and business case required to support the pre-designation application.

3Cube Property Solutions is an ideal property broker for businesses wishing to capitalise on the Lanseria International Airport upgrades. Get in touch if you’re interested in buying or renting commercial, industrial or retail space anywhere in Gauteng.

Image credit: Landside exterior of Lanseria Airport, Johannesburg by Petrus Potgieter | Wikipedia | Public Domain | https://tinyurl.com/2vyc2vv7