KMI Airport | Celebrates 15 years of Excellence!

KMI Airport’s new bragging rights

Mbombela – Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI Airport) is celebrating 15 years in aviation, and in commemoration, is sporting a new look.

airport-001 KMI Airport is located in Mbombela and is considered a gateway to the world’s most iconic game reserve, the Kruger National Park. The airport officially opened on the 21st of October in 2002 and has since flown over 3.4 million passengers.

In 2013, the airport was sold to MQP Airport Management, a South African investment company. The board of directors consist of Anthony Ball, Hugo Stroud, Kate Rees, Marius Nel and Titus Masuku. Titus Masuku oversees the airport community development projects. A fixed amount per departing passenger is paid to the Mbuyane communal property association.

On creation, the board immediately began implementing changes and improvements to the airport, which four years later, now represent a strong African brand that KMI Airport showcases today.

“We started by taking over the franchise Wimpy. We then opened our own coffee shop, Time Café, and an airport bar, Fever Tree Bar,” explains KMI Airport’s Cat Nienaber. “We also started KMI Airport’s Express Coffee Shop and we offer Motherland Coffee from Cape Town throughout the airport; a first for the Lowveld.”

Not only has KMI Airport expanded its food and beverage outlets, but there are new shops to boot, such as The Branch; an exclusive boutique selling luxury high-end items, Editions Gallery, and Orgari, Out of Africa curio shop, which sells handmade and crafted art pieces. There is also the VIP lounge, which offers a comfortable space for all Priority Pass and Diners Club members as well as the paying public.

A training centre was developed and is available for conferencing, business breakfasts and more. It currently boasts two meetings rooms; an 18-seater and a 10-seater. “This was a big step,” says Cat. “We needed a bigger event centre to attract the public and the training centre suits the needs of the airport too.”

KMI Airport also boasts its own FBO (Flight Briefing Officer), Cara-Leigh Elders. This means the airport can now organise and schedule their own private flights for celebrities, presidents and dignitaries.

“Many changes have been made over the last few years and now it is time to showcase them,” says Cat enthusiastically. “We want to get people excited about the airport again. Come and have a look. You will see that we have earned these bragging rights.”

Check out some of the images captured by ShowMe Nelspruit on the exclusive media tour…

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