South African billionaire Rob Hersov’s $500 million Cape Winelands Airport project faces final hurdle

South African billionaire Rob Hersov is edging closer to breaking ground on the $500 million Cape Winelands Airport, a privately backed aviation project designed to reshape air travel access in the Western Cape. 

The development, situated at Fisantekraal north of Durbanville, is awaiting final regulatory clearance before construction begins in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Scheduled to open in 2028, the airport will feature a 3,500-meter Code 4F runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380. The expanded master plan now spans 880 hectares, significantly larger than the initial 150-hectare acquisition completed in 2021.

Strategic alternative to Cape Town International
Cape Winelands Airport, previously known as Fisantekraal Airfield, is positioned as a secondary hub to Cape Town, offering airlines a diversion option just 25 kilometers away. 

Currently, long-haul carriers must carry additional fuel to allow rerouting to distant airports such as Johannesburg or Durban, increasing costs and emissions. Developers estimate the new airport could reduce operating costs by about 5% per flight while cutting carbon output.

Job creation and passenger projections
Project backers estimate 35,000 direct and indirect jobs during the initial phases, rising to more than 100,000 over two decades. Phase one is expected to handle between 1.7 million and 2.5 million passengers annually by 2032.

Construction firm WBHO has taken both contractor and equity positions, aligning capital exposure with delivery performance. Growthpoint Properties will oversee long-term property and logistics management across hospitality and commercial segments.

Competitive implications
If approved, the airport could challenge Airports Company South Africa’s dominance in the Western Cape aviation market. 

Unlike most domestic airports, the project plans to install independent navigation infrastructure rather than rely solely on state-operated air traffic systems.

With regulatory approval now the final hurdle, Hersov’s aviation bet represents one of the largest privately funded infrastructure plays in the region in recent years.