South Africa's Cape Winelands Airport to open by 2028 with £352M expansion

Cape Winelands Airport in South Africa is undergoing an R8 billion (£352 million) expansion to transform into a full-fledged international aviation hub, targeting operation by 2028. Located on the Fisantekraal airfield northeast of Durbanville, the project aims to alleviate increasing demand at Cape Town International Airport and serve as a crucial gateway for the Western Cape region.

The development, led by contracting partner Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO), includes the construction of a new passenger terminal, a dedicated cargo processing facility, advanced fuelling infrastructure, hotel accommodation, and a heliport. This ambitious project is designed to handle over five million annual travelers by 2050 and is projected to sustain approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs over its initial two decades of operation.

To accommodate wide-body aircraft and facilitate international operations, the existing runway space will be extended to two miles, with construction anticipated to commence in early 2026. Cape Winelands Airport management emphasizes that this expansion will significantly strengthen the region's competitiveness, attract new investment, and enhance tourism opportunities, particularly for visitors exploring the renowned vineyards of the Western Cape. Managing Director Deon Cloete noted that the contractor's formal involvement marks a critical new phase of detailed technical development and planning.