Cape Winelands Airport to enhance travel and trade

The picturesque Cape Winelands region is set to soar to new heights with an estimated R7 billion airport expansion programme, marking a significant milestone in the area’s development and accessibility. Cape Winelands Airport, established in 1943, is an integral part of the Northern District of Durbanville. As one of the oldest airfields in the region, it has primarily served the General Aviation community. The airport’s strategic location makes it a vital asset for the region, poised to contribute significantly to the local economy and the aviation industry.

The belief is that the holiday starts when arriving at the airport and not at your destination. The development plans include vineyards as part of the landscaping aesthetics to portray the regions wine culture, ensuring that when one arrives at the terminal precinct of Cape Winelands Airport, one will be surrounded by vineyards with open spaces that includes a plaza, a hotel, conference center, a wine tasting experience, an outdoor amphitheater for events up to 5000 people, an aviation museum and plenty of at-grade parking, all situated in a “park” like environment. In the controlled airside area of the airport, a portion of the land will include a botanical garden with a diverse collection of indigenous fynbos, both within the country and globally.

The airport will offer a range of contemporary amenities and services designed to enhance the travel experience. These include efficient check-in counters with advanced technology for swift processing, spacious and comfortable waiting lounges with ergonomic seating, and a diverse selection of high-quality dining establishments and boutique shopping outlets, ensuring that passengers have access to a wide array of food and retail options to suit their preferences and needs.

Cape Winelands Airport will serve as a crucial gateway to the Cape Winelands region, offering a range of domestic and international flight options and opening up new routes. The airport will effectively process 2,000,000 international tourists and 3,000,000 domestic travelers per annum by 2050, taking the overall annual passenger traffic to the region from 10 million to 20 million passengers.  Beyond job creation, the airport is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the regional economy. Increased tourism and business opportunities will contribute to the growth of local businesses and industries, especially around the logistics clusters.

The airport aims to be self-sufficient and off the grid for water and electricity as far as possible. Through a commitment to sustainability and innovation, it will harness renewable energy sources, such as solar and chicken manure biogas power, to power its facilities and operations. This shift towards self-sufficiency will not only reduce the carbon footprint but will also ensure a reliable and uninterrupted energy supply, even in adverse conditions. The airport will implement state-of-the-art water recycling systems, able to conserve and purify water for various airport needs. Additionally, its waste management practices will prioritise recycling and composting, further reducing its environmental impact.

Over the past three years, the team has diligently engaged in meticulous planning and extensive consultation with stakeholders from the broader aviation industry. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to delivering world-class services and facilities to passengers, airlines, and partners. By meticulously crafting a strategic vision through years of dedicated work, Cape Winelands Airport aims to enhance the travel experience, boost operational efficiency, and remain at the forefront of innovation in the aviation sector.

Facts and Figures

  • Main Runway – 3500m can accommodate (Airbus – A380).
  • Code 4F Runway with a category 9 fire cover and a category 3 ILS.
  • Secondary Runway – 700m, Code 1A, primarily focused on small planes in cross wind conditions.
  • Estimated to have 25% of the passenger market into Cape Town by 2050 and grow to 5m passengers.
  • Anticipated to introduce the first digital tower and control room in Africa.
  • Buildings to include hangarage for aircraft storage, facilities for light manufacturing and industrial purposes, logistics and warehousing services, food processing facilities, spaces for educational and commercial office purposes, retail spaces, venues for events and conferences, hotel, a bulk aviation fuel farm, and a public filling station.

Additional Cargo Capacity

It is estimated, using Customs and Excise reported facts, on kilograms imported directly into Cape Town by air that through having a closer destination alternate airport in Cape Town this will increase the additional cargo capacity into the area significantly. Additional supply will have consequential reductions in air cargo prices.