New Cape Town airport: Which flights will be available?

The Cape Winelands Airport in Durbanville will start operating both domestic and international flights in 2027.

What is the airport currently used for?

The airport, previously known as the Fisantekraal Airfield, belonged to the South African Air Force but became privately owned in 1993, according to Business Tech.

In November 2020, private investors acquired the Cape Winelands Airport property. RSA.Aero owns and operates it.

Currently, the Cape Winelands Airport serves as a general aviation facility offering flight training. Private and corporate aircraft occasionally use it for passenger transport.

Developers are working to transform the airport into an international commercial airport.

Development underway

Developers plan to build a passenger terminal that can accommodate 5.2 million annual passengers. Additionally, they will expand the primary runway to 3 500 metres.

The developers aim for the airport to fulfil numerous key roles within the aviation sector and significantly improve the socioeconomic landscape within the region, according to Cape Winelands Airport.

Other developments on this site include cargo terminals, aircraft hangars, a hotel, heliport, warehousing and logistics facilities. Developers are also planning a commercial real estate development.

“The Cape Winelands Airport plan delineates a strategic vision for the airport’s evolution from a modest airfield to an influential commercial and aviation centre.”
Cape Winelands Airport

What services will the newly developed airport offer?

The Cape Winelands Airport will offer scheduled airline services for both domestic and international passenger and cargo operations. Additionally, it will offer general aviation for domestic and international, unscheduled and private operations.

Developers plan to build a modern terminal building including state-of-the-art processing facilities, using the latest technology to provide modern solutions for check-in, baggage handling, and security.

Other planned facilities include hotel accommodation, a heliport, and warehousing facilities.

Construction on expanding the airport is expected to start early next year, provided all approvals are in place. It is currently undergoing numerous legislative processes.

Does Cape Town need a second airport?

The Cape Winelands Airport will be located 25 km from the Cape Town International Airport.

During peak seasons when the Cape Town International Airport needs to handle the ever-increasing demand of passengers and flights, this second airport will help reduce the load.

Secondly, the Cape Winelands Airport will provide airlines with a much closer planning alternate airport that can be used for diversion fuel planning on flights inbound to Cape Town.

A planning alternate airport is a designated airport that a flight crew plans to divert to in case of unexpected events or emergencies during a flight. It is a backup airport that will ensure the safety and availability of an alternative landing site if the primary destination airport becomes unavailable due to weather, equipment issues, or other factors.