The R8 billion Cape Winelands Airport project near Durbanville is set to begin construction in late 2026, pending resolution of landowner appeals to the Western Cape environmental minister. The development aims to enhance regional travel, reduce airline fuel costs, and create thousands of jobs. Environmental approvals were granted in October 2025, but concerns over noise and land use persist.
The Cape Winelands Airport (CWA), located on the historic Fisantekraal airfield north of Durbanville, represents a major private infrastructure initiative valued at R8 billion. Developed by RSA Aero under executive director Nicholas Ferguson, the project has expanded from an initial 150 hectares to 880 hectares to accommodate a 3,500-meter runway capable of handling large aircraft like the Airbus A380. Managing director Deon Cloete, with prior experience at Cape Town and Durban international airports, highlighted the site's potential when he noted, “When I first saw it, I saw value in the runways.”
Construction is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, with operations to commence in 2028. The airport precinct, spanning 450 hectares for aviation, logistics, commercial, and hospitality elements, will be managed long-term by Growthpoint Properties, excluding terminal buildings. It is expected to generate 35,000 direct and indirect jobs initially, potentially rising to over 100,000 in the first 20 years.
A key feature is the diversion model, allowing international flights to use CWA as a closer alternate to Cape Town International Airport, just 25 kilometers away. This could save airlines over R1 billion annually in fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions by up to 60 million kilograms per year, according to Pace Aerospace Engineering. Cloete explained, “You can imagine, if you think about a typical day, all aircraft carrying between five and 10 tonnes extra fuel every day for the whole year.” Signed contracts with carriers are in place, and the project seeks an International Port of Entry license to challenge the Western Cape's single gateway status.
The main contractor, Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO), is also an equity investor, ensuring accountability, as Cloete stated: “They all put skin in the game here so that we can all be accountable.” Unlike state-reliant airports, CWA will build its own navigation infrastructure to avoid disruptions from Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS).
Integration with rail lines to Cape Town and Saldanha ports is planned, with discussions underway with Prasa and Transnet for multimodal connectivity. This could reduce road tanker traffic and offer passenger shuttles. Retail development, partnered with Growthpoint, has attracted over 1,000 inquiries, aiming for a superior mix inspired by the V&A Waterfront. An aviation museum is also envisioned.
Despite October 2025 environmental approval, six appeals from 1,500 affected parties, mainly neighboring landowners and poultry operations, are pending with Western Cape Minister Anton Bredell. Cloete noted, “They want the airport, but they don’t want the airport right there.” A noise assessment indicates potential overlap with the Greenville Garden City development at full capacity. Resolution is expected by the end of March 2026.
To address power instability, the airport plans a 20MW solar plant, biodigesters for waste-to-energy, and on-site boreholes, aiming for off-grid operations with Eskom as backup only. Ryan Ravens of Accelerate Cape Town described local resistance as typical “Nimbyism,” adding, “Competition is good … it will certainly force Cape Town International to up their game.” Meanwhile, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) CEO Nompumelelo Mpofu outlined R21.7 billion in investments over five years to enhance its network.
