The Cape Winelands Airport (CWA) is an R8 billion private aviation development poised to transform the former Fisantekraal Airfield into a modern international transport and logistics hub.
it is located just 13 kilometers northeast of Durbanville, this 450 hectare project aims to alleviate growing congestion at Cape Town International Airport, offering a strategic alternative for both commercial and business aviation .
This ambitious project has reached significant milestones, securing key approvals and a powerful new partnership that solidifies its trajectory toward a 2028 opening .
Key Developments and Milestones
The Cape Winelands Airport project has achieved several critical regulatory and strategic milestones in recent months:
-
Final Environmental Authorisation: The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning granted Environmental Authorisation on 27 October 2025, following a rigorous five-year process. All appeals have been considered, clearing the most significant hurdle for the project’s advancement.
-
Rezoning Approved: The City of Cape Town Municipal Planning Tribunal has approved the rezoning for approximately 350,000m² of total bulk, pending the appeal process.
-
Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) Status: Cape Winelands Airport has been formally designated as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP 17) by Infrastructure South Africa. This status requires all state organs to prioritize the airport’s approvals, licenses, and authorizations, providing a significant acceleration pathway .
Growthpoint Properties Joins as Strategic Partner
JSE-listed real estate giant Growthpoint Properties has entered into a strategic partnership with Cape Winelands Airport . Growthpoint has taken an equity position and will oversee property and asset management across the precinct’s logistics, commercial, and hospitality sectors .
The partnership aligns with Growthpoint’s strategy of investing in high-quality precincts and advancing sustainability objectives.
The company will earn fees for overseeing Phase 1 of the airport development, which is estimated to cost approximately R8 billion.
According to the updated shareholder information from Growthpoint, construction is expected to commence later in the 2026 calendar year, with commissioning of the first phase targeted for 2028.
“Construction is expected to commence later in the 2026 calendar year, subject to approvals, with commissioning of the first phase targeted for 2028,” Growthpoint informed shareholdres today.
“It is not envisaged that Growthpoint will be investing in the airport terminal and runway at this stage with our focus on the ancillary land uses. This partnership aligns with our strategy of investing in high-quality precincts and advancing our sustainability objectives.”
Growthpoint will focus on the ancillary land uses surrounding the airport precinct .
Strategic Importance and Economic Impact
The strategic importance of Cape Winelands Airport extends beyond tourism, aiming to establish a cohesive link with Cape Town’s thriving business landscape. Positioned only 25 kilometers from Cape Town International Airport, CWA will serve as a crucial alternate airport for airlines, enabling significant reductions in reserve fuel requirements and operational costs .
The project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, sustaining approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs over its first 20 years of operation . By 2050, the airport is projected to handle more than 5 million passengers annually, solidifying its role as a critical component of the Western Cape’s infrastructure and economic growth.
With construction on the horizon, the Cape Winelands Airport is set to redefine air travel in the region, providing enhanced connectivity and fostering sustainable development for decades to come.
