South Africa is moving forward with plans to build a new international airport near Cape Town, a major infrastructure project designed to ease pressure on the region’s main aviation hub while supporting long-term tourism and economic growth. The €410 million development, known as Cape Winelands Airport, is expected to open to domestic and international flights by 2028.
Located at the former Fisantekraal airfield, north east of Durbanville, the site has a long aviation history and is now set to play a central role in the future of air travel in the Western Cape. Once completed, the airport is expected to complement Cape Town International Airport, which has experienced sustained growth in passenger numbers in recent years.
A strategic response to rising demand
Cape Town remains one of South Africa’s most popular long-haul destinations, particularly for European travellers seeking winter sun. As air travel continues to recover and demand grows, capacity constraints at Cape Town International Airport have become increasingly apparent.
Developers say Cape Winelands Airport will help relieve congestion while providing greater flexibility for airlines and travellers. The new hub is being positioned as a secondary international gateway that can absorb future growth and enhance resilience within the region’s aviation network.
From military base to international gateway
The Fisantekraal airfield was established in 1943 as a base for the South African Air Force and today operates as a general aviation facility serving light aircraft. Under the new plans, the site will undergo a comprehensive transformation into a full-scale international airport.
The R8 billion investment will fund the construction of a modern passenger terminal, cargo processing facilities, fuelling infrastructure, hotel accommodation, and a heliport. The airport is also being designed as a logistics hub, with strong links to road, rail, and ocean transport corridors.
By 2050, Cape Winelands Airport aims to serve more than five million passengers annually, reflecting long-term confidence in the growth of travel and trade across the Western Cape.
Construction timeline and runway expansion
Cape Winelands Airport has confirmed Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon as the contracting partner responsible for technical development and construction. According to managing director Deon Cloete, the appointment marks a critical step forward for the project.
“With the contractor now formally on board, the project advances into a crucial new phase of technical development and planning,” Cloete said.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, subject to the completion of statutory and regulatory processes. A key element of the project is the extension of the existing runway to approximately two miles, allowing the airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft capable of operating long-haul international routes.
Environmental process, jobs, and sustainable design
While environmental authorisation has been granted, the project has faced a small number of appeals from neighbouring land users and other stakeholders. Of the approximately 1,500 registered interested and affected parties, six appeals have been lodged.
Cloete has expressed confidence that these issues will be resolved through the statutory appeals process, which is expected to conclude by March 2026. He noted that discussions with neighbours are ongoing, focusing on land use integration and long-term planning.
“We have been working with those neighbours on consolidating land use and integrating our development. We are making good progress, and we expect announcements in that regard in the near future,” he said.
Beyond aviation capacity, Cape Winelands Airport is being positioned as a significant driver of employment and regional development. The project is expected to create around 35,000 direct and indirect jobs during its initial phases and sustain approximately 100,000 jobs over its first 20 years of operation.
Developers have also highlighted a strong focus on sustainability and passenger experience. The airport will incorporate smart technologies and green design principles aimed at reducing environmental impact while offering a user-friendly travel experience.
“We have two critical things that drive the development. It is smart, and it is green, making it user-friendly and a very special experience,” Cloete said.
A boost for tourism in the Western Cape
The airport’s location places it within easy reach of the Cape Winelands, one of South Africa’s most renowned wine-producing regions, as well as Cape Town and the wider Western Cape. Tourism stakeholders say the new gateway could help distribute visitor flows more evenly across the region, supporting rural tourism and reducing pressure on urban infrastructure.
If completed on schedule, Cape Winelands Airport will represent one of South Africa’s most significant aviation developments in recent decades. The project underscores growing confidence in the Western Cape’s long-term appeal as a destination for leisure, business, and logistics in an evolving global travel landscape.
