The Cape Winelands Airport plans to start operating local and international flights by 2027. Situated 13 km northeast of Durbanville, the airport is strategically located to serve the Cape Town aviation and tourism sector.
The development plans for the airport incorporate the region's wine heritage into its design, with vineyards forming part of the landscape.
The site will also include open spaces with a plaza, a hotel, a conference centre, a wine-tasting experience, an outdoor amphitheatre for events, an aviation museum, and at-grade parking facilities.
Within the controlled airside area, a portion of the land will be dedicated to a botanical garden showcasing a diverse collection of fynbos.
Additional developments on the site will include cargo terminals, aircraft hangars, a hotel, a heliport, and warehousing and logistics facilities. Plans also include a commercial real estate development.
Formerly known as the Fisantekraal Airfield, the site was originally owned by the South African Air Force before becoming privately owned in 1993.
In November 2020, private investors acquired the Cape Winelands Airport property, which is now owned and operated by RSA.Aero.
Currently, the Cape Winelands Airport functions as a general aviation facility and a hub for flight training in the Cape Town area.
The airport has previously announced a R7 billion redevelopment and expansion plan aimed at transforming it into an international commercial airport.
The initial phase of development includes expanding and realigning the primary runway to 3,500 metres. The airport currently has four runways, two of which are inactive, while the others measure 700 metres and 900 metres in length.
The expansion plans also include constructing a passenger terminal capable of accommodating 5 million passengers annually, with projections of 2 million international tourists and 3 million domestic travellers per year by 2050, potentially increasing the region’s annual passenger traffic from 10 million to 20 million.
Construction on the airport's expansion is expected to commence early next year, pending the necessary approvals.
IOL Travel