At a Glance
- Cape Town’s second airport nears approval with Environmental Authorisation application submitted.
- Cape Winelands Airport aims to ease congestion, boost tourism and regional economic growth.
- RSA.aero targets 5 million passengers annually as Cape Town readies for megacity status.
Cape Town’s long-awaited second international airport is edging closer to reality, as developers confirm the formal submission of the Environmental Authorisation (EA) application.
The move marks a pivotal milestone for the multibillion-rand Cape Winelands Airport project, aimed at easing congestion at Cape Town International and meeting surging travel demand in South Africa’s fastest-growing metro.
Five years of groundwork nearing payoff
RSA.aero, a consortium of aviation industry veterans leading the development, revealed the update at a networking event at Groot Phesantekraal Wine Estate in Durbanville.
“We have officially submitted the EA application,” said Deon Cloete, managing director at RSA.aero, adding that a verdict from environmental regulators is expected by year-end. “This is the result of five years of groundwork.”
The planned airport, strategically located in Joostenberg on Cape Town’s outskirts, is designed to handle over five million passengers annually by 2050.
The site was chosen for its accessibility and growth potential, offering relief to Cape Town International, which already operates near capacity.
Finance teams assess funding as city prepares for ‘megacity’ status
RSA.aero has appointed a dedicated finance team to evaluate funding offers for the greenfield project.
Urban planners warn that Cape Town’s population is projected to surpass 10 million by 2050, pushing the city into megacity territory.
“Cape Town’s growth is accelerating. The challenge now is to prepare infrastructure fast enough,” said Jeremy Wiley of the Western Cape Property Development Forum.
He praised local governance for maintaining unemployment below the national average, signaling effective management.
Economic lift-off for the Cape Winelands region
City officials see the project as more than just a new runway. “The Joostenberg node is on the brink of massive transformation,” said Mikhail Manuel of the city’s urban mobility committee.
“We’re talking about real investment, real jobs and real growth over the next five to ten years. The City is fully behind this.”
The Cape Winelands Airport promises to become a catalyst for tourism, logistics, and trade in the Western Cape, strengthening the region’s position as a gateway for African and international travel.
While construction timelines remain unannounced, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic.
Industry analysts note that the airport’s development could redefine Cape Town’s aviation landscape, providing a critical boost to regional infrastructure and long-term economic growth.
