Durban - As people wait for family at King Shaka International Airport, an amateur pianist fills the air in the concourse with Beethoven symphonies.
This is one of many new additions to the airport to enhance the travel experience, says Colin Naidoo, communications and brand manager for the airport.
“Much has changed in the past five years and it is very noticeable when you travel through King Shaka as we are enhancing our offering to incorporate art, music and aspects of the heritage and culture of KZN. We are geared towards being a destination airport, not just a transit point,” he said.
Intricate mosaics throughout the airport have Drakensberg, beach, bush and battlefield themes.
“Art is all over,”says Naidoo, making sweeping motions, “including the impressive Nguni cattle sculptures that guard the entrance to the airport, by world-famous sculptor Andries Botha, and images of the annual sardine run in the domestic arrivals terminal.
“Talented buskers regularly play outside the airport building, and we welcome visitors playing the piano in the general concourse of the arrivals terminal.”
The airport is also maximising its retail presence.
“The airport shopping facilities operate longer hours than most shopping malls and every Saturday is Super Saturday, which means you pay just R10 for your parking for the day if you spend more than a certain amount at stores in the airport,” said Naidoo.
A number of foreign airlines sealed deals with the airport this year.
“King Shaka International is now five years old and still winning prestigious awards such as the 2015 Skytrax Best Airport in the World Handling Under 5 Million Passengers and Best Regional Airport in Africa for 2015.
“We were part of the successful World Routes conference held in Durban in September which brought 2 500 game changers in aviation and the airport industry to savour what KZN has to offer,” he said.
Sunday Tribune