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Fueling Tomorrow: Lanseria’s Next Chapter in General Aviation
From Refined Infrastructure to Aviation Excellence: Crafting a Premier General Aviation Experience
All good things are repeated. And when Lanseria International Airport extended another invitation to sit down and speak, we took the opportunity without hesitation. As one of South Africa’s premier privately owned airports, Lanseria’s voice in infrastructure and innovation continues to echo powerfully across the continent. Following our first feature with CEO Rampa Rammopo, we now enter part two of our exclusive three-part series by sitting down with one of the most enduring figures at the airport; Danie Opperman, Executive Manager of Corporate Services. If anyone understands the beating heart of Lanseria’s evolution, it’s him.
A Man Who Grew with the Runway
Step back to the tarmac of May 1st, 1991, the days Lanseria became the privately owned. Among the bustle of transition stood Danie, beginning his career as a financial administrator in Aviation. In a way, the airport’s transformation is a mirror of his own , both maturing, adapting, and stepping into larger roles with time. From finance to facilities, and now at the helm of Corporate Services, Danie has, quite literally, grown with the airport.
It’s been over three decades, “Longer than your age,” he jokes, but there’s weight behind the humour. This isn’t just a job. This is home. Lanseria’s Taxiways and Hangars tell the story of his career, one carefully built through grit, pride, and a deep commitment to aviation excellence.
Fuel for the Future: A 4.2 Million-Litre Vision
General aviation: The cornerstone of private flight, has long found sanctuary in Lanseria’s clean runways and well-oiled ecosystem. But the airport is no longer satisfied with simply keeping pace. It’s setting the tone.
At the centre of its upcoming General Aviation (GA) infrastructure drive is a state-of-the-art fuel farm, designed to increase storage capacity from 1 million litres to a staggering 4.2 million litres. It’s a project born from insight and necessity.
“Our current capacity just wasn’t enough,” Danie explains. “During the Soccer World Cup, we moved up to 400,000 litres in a day. We managed, but we knew something had to change.”
This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about resilience. The new farm, designed with world-class safety and fire suppression systems, ensures supply security through diversified sourcing, not just from coastal refineries, but inland too, reducing dependence on unpredictable imports and weather delays.
“We’re particular,” Danie adds, “We only buy from approved suppliers: Engen, Shell, Sasol and our transportation fleet is dedicated solely to Lanseria. The quality control is meticulous. The jets that land here expect excellence – and that’s exactly what they’ll get.”
Construction is poised to break ground between September and October 2025, with Phase One delivering full infrastructure for the final capacity, even if only one tank is initially installed. It’s a smart, scalable strategy, one that reflects Lanseria’s readiness to grow with its clients.
Hangars That Reflect High-End Vision
But fuel is just the beginning. Lanseria’s strategy to court the upper echelon of aviation includes a comprehensive rethink of its hangar infrastructure. Many of the airport’s legacy hangars, inherited after long-term leases ended, no longer suit the scale or style of today’s business jets.
Danie paints the picture plainly: “You can’t expect a Global Express to squeeze into a 30-year-old space. And clients want their aircraft to reflect their lifestyle – bespoke, premium, efficient.”
In response, Lanseria is refurbishing select existing hangars and opening new opportunities for tailor-made structures through modernised land lease agreements. For some, this means demolishing outdated units to make way for sleek, custom-built hangars. Others will undergo a full facelift, upgraded doors, weatherproofing, lighting, and even tenant specific enhancements through co-investment models.
“Our approach is collaborative,” Danie explains. “If a tenant wants porcelain tiles or specific lighting, we’ll meet halfway. It’s about creating value for them, and for us.”
One-Stop Aviation Ecosystem
Lanseria’s appeal isn’t only in the infrastructure, it’s in the environment. From maintenance hubs and avionics to paint shops and pilot training schools, the airport offers a rare, full-circle aviation experience.
“You can fly in, service your aircraft, attend your meetings, and not leave” unless you want a hotel stay, we joked. “It’s convenience at its most refined.” Danie says.
And perhaps most profoundly, Lanseria builds relationships. Many pilots who begin their journey training here, ideally should desire to return later in their careers, now at the helm of jets, choosing familiarity, trust, and quality over flashy alternatives.
The Horizon Ahead
As we concluded our interview, it was clear that the fuel tanks and hangar doors only scratch the surface of what’s coming. The future pulses with possibility and next, we’ll explore Lanseria’s Digital migration and Technology Transformation in our third and final instalment with Mpolaheng Mohlopi, the airport’s dynamic CFO.
For discerning travellers: whether seasoned jet-setters, business executives, or private pilots, flight is about more than getting from A to B. It’s about time well spent, seamless transitions and elevated comfort.
Lanseria International Airport is redefining its experience to meet the expectations of today’s refined traveller, delivering not just premium infrastructure, but a philosophy grounded in excellence and ease.
Whether you’re arriving in a private jet, flying commercially with distinction, or investing in the future of aviation, Lanseria isn’t just keeping pace with global standards – it’s setting them.
Coming Next in the Series, we sit down with CFO Mpolaheng Mohlopi to unpack the digital activities Lanseria is taking on – from AI-assisted systems to smart aviation technology, discover how innovation is fueling the airport’s nextascent: Stay with us!
Written By | Minnie Zondi
I am an insanely optimistic ambivert that does everything from the heart instead of the mind. Deeply interested in people and matters that pertain to mankind.
Read about who’s who in the Industry: Union Tiles prides itself with deep Italian roots, founded in 1910 and established in 1922, Union Tiles (Pty) Ltd is a multi faceted wall and floor tile corporation offering a wide range of products and services to complete your home or commercial project.
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Christine and I arrived at Lanseria with a mix of excitement and nerves, unsure of what to expect from our meeting with Mr. Rampa Rammopo. His reputation preceded him, sharp, strategic, perhaps even formidable. Had we bitten off more than we could chew?
But the warm welcome at reception quickly put us at ease. And as we sat in ear shot of the boardroom, the sound of laughter from within – Mr. Rammopo mid-meeting confirmed what we hoped: this was going to be a conversation worth having.
What followed was more than an interview, it was a deep dive into a vision reborn.
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A Dream on the Rise
Before the world was brought to a halt by an unforeseen pandemic, Lanseria International Airport stood on the brink of a bold transformation. There was an energy in the air, the kind that accompanies dreams backed by meticulous planning, solid capital projects, and an unrelenting belief in growth. LIA had cast its vision far and wide, anchored in a master plan designed to not only meet future demand, but to shape the airport into a regional powerhouse.
One of the key milestones in this ambitious blueprint was the expansion of the airport’s terminal building. This was no minor upgrade. With the expansion of the Pier, Lanseria increased its passenger handling capacity from 3 million to 4.5 million per annum. Simultaneously, the Multistorey Parkade (MSP) project had been completed and operational, the perfect complement to the expected passenger surge. Plans were also underway for a dedicated hotel, an upgraded fuel
farm. It was all happening…until it wasn’t!
Just as concrete was being poured and steel girders hoisted, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, grinding the global aviation industry to a near-total standstill. Dreams were paused, boardrooms fell silent and development projects hit a brick wall. But not all of them.
Some, like the expansion of the Pier, were already too far along to be abandoned. They had to continue, however cautiously. And with that, the tone shifted.Lanseria’s master plan didn’t dissolve. Instead, it evolved…
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Rising from Ruin – A New Blueprint for Resilience
Where many saw devastation, Lanseria International Airport saw recalibration. It wasn’t just about survival anymore. It became about adaptation, engineering a version of the airport that could thrive not just in normal times, but in uncertain ones too. This shift led to a full-scale strategic review of operations, with a central goal: “How can we re-purpose the airport to weather future storms?”
The answer lay in diversification.
One of the clearest opportunities identified was cargo, a market LIA had not tapped into before COVID. Traditionally, cargo operations at Lanseria were limited to the belly space of commercial airliners. But the explosion of e-commerce and the increasing demand for air freight made a
compelling case for a deeper play.Thus, the Lanseria Cargo Precinct is born.
Lanseria International Airport occupying a 90-hectare parcel of currently vacant land – with an additional acquisition of adjacent parcels under consideration, the precinct will be designed as a fully-fledged cargo ecosystem. This project alone is forecasted to claim between 20 to 30 hectares, targeting 5 -10% of Gauteng’s booming 400 000 ton per annum air cargo market. With preliminary designs complete and most regulatory approvals secured, Lanseria is gearing to break ground by Q4 2025. The project, estimated around R2 – R3 billion, is set to be a five – year phased development and a cornerstone of LIA’s post-pandemic legacy.
But the Cargo Precinct is just the beginning.
Tied to the cargo development is another strategic initiative: Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. With SAA Technical’s diminished presence at OR Tambo, a critical gap has emerged in regional maintenance services. Lanseria intends to fill it. Designs are done, funding is partially secured, and tender processes for construction are on the near horizon. This segment will not only serve operational needs but also open up new business avenues for the airport.
Another future-proofing initiative is the new Fuel Farm, which will boost LIA’s fuel storage capacity from 1 million to 4.5 million litres. Final designs have been submitted, and approvals from the City of Johannesburg; delayed but not derailed, are anticipated soon. This project plays a pivotalrole in supporting the increased aircraft activity expected in the years ahead, especially as morecarriers consider Lanseria as a viable base.
Next in line is the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) facility, currently in conceptual design stages. It’s a natural progression for Lanseria, which has long attracted business and private aviation. With market studies underway, the FBO project could soon become another defining pillar in Lanseria’s transformation, catering to elite travellers and specialized aviation services.
Add to this the Taxiway Alpha Upgrades, an estimated R200 million infrastructure investment aimed at enhancing the operational robustness of the airport’s air-side environment. With feasibility studies complete and consultants being appointed soon, construction is expected to be rolled out over 18 months to minimize disruption, ensuring the runway ecosystem matches thescale of LIA’s broader aspirations.
What unites these five capital projects: The Cargo Precinct, MRO, Fuel Farm, FBO facilities, and Taxiway upgrades, is not just ambition, but a sense of readiness. Readiness for growth. Readiness for disruption. Readiness for the future.
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A Legacy in the Making
Together, these developments don’t just mark a recovery from the COVID-19 shock, they represent a powerful leap into a new era. For CEO Rampa Rammopo, these are not mere infrastructure upgrades; they are Legacy Projects: A visionary master-stroke shaped under pressure, re-imagined
during crisis, and executed with precision.
Over the next five years, Lanseria International Airport will transform into an active construction site, one parcel at a time, laying the foundation for the airport of tomorrow. An airport that’s resilient, diversified, and future-ready.
So whether you’re boarding FlySafair “For the Love of Flying,” or flying with any future operators who will inevitably be drawn to this revitalized hub – rest assured, Lanseria International Airport will be ready.
From the ashes of a global crisis, a bold new skyline is rising – and it’s taking off from Lanseria.
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Leads 2 Business | Written by Minnie Zondi
I am an insanely optimistic ambivert that does everything from the heart instead of the mind. Deeply interested in people and matters that pertain to mankind.
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I started my journey with Leads 2 Business in 2013 as an Account Co-Ordinator. I transitioned into an External Sales position as an Account Executive in 2015. I help professionals within the building & construction industry keep up to date with the latest project and tender information as well as source new business opportunities throughout Africa.
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