The Department of Environment and Tourism published a Record of Decision (RoD) on 23 August 2007 effectively authorising the development of the Dube TradePort, in line with conditions outlined in the RoD.

An appeal period of 30 days was provided for in the RoD. This period closed at the end of September 2007. Some seven appeals were recorded by the Department of Environmental Affairs.

The applicants, the Airports Company South Africa and Dube TradePort, are in the process of finalising their responses to these appeals. The appeal process is expected to have been completed by the end of the year.

In the interim, the initial stages of construction are proceeding.

The Dube TradePort would comprise a new international airport, a cargo terminal, a Trade Zone, a Support Zone, an Agri-Zone and associated property developments, in line with conditions detailed in the RoD document.