New airport prepares for takeoff in the Western Cape
Category Commercial and Industrial News
Businesses in the Western Cape will likely soon get to reap the benefits of having a second international airport in the Mother City. While currently still in the planning and permission stage, the proposed Cape Winelands Airport (CWA) should get its wings and receive its first passengers and freight by 2027. 3Cube Property Solutions provides a breakdown of the new airport, its facilities and what it can do for local businesses.
The need for a second airport in the Mother City
While the project developer, Nick Ferguson of RSA.Aero, concedes in an article penned by Engineering News that a new airport will create competition for the award-winning Cape Town International Airport, he also points out that many cities around the world - including even our neighbour Windhoek - boast multiple airports.
This new airport is great news for businesses in areas like Drakenstein, Wellington, Paarl and Stellenbosch. Being located approximately 10.5km northeast of Durbanville, this airport brings convenience close to home for an array of enterprises. The site boasts quick access to three major arterial routes, including Klipheuwel Road (R302), Koelenhof Road, (R304) and Lichtenburg Road (R312).
A brief history of Cape Winelands Airport
The facility that is set to become Cape Town's second state-of-the-art airport dates back to 1943, when an aerodrome was built for the operation of Lockheed Ventura bombers during World War II. More recently, it has served as an airfield for the general aviation sector, accommodating recreational flying, flight training, crop spraying and various other functions.
The current airport facilities, which are in the ballpark of 80 years old, are set for a comprehensive upgrade. When complete, the new airport will meet the requirements of the largest passenger airliners.
A complete transformation to take place
In a 2023 interview with News24, Deidre Davids, spokesperson for the Cape Winelands Airport, revealed that the airport will be expanded and massively upgraded. The transformations will include a realigned runway with taxiways, aircraft parking bays, a new boutique terminal building, cargo facilities and fuel storage facilities.
The benefits offered by the Cape Winelands Airport
For starters, the Cape Winelands Airport will be designed to accommodate the needs of Airbus A380s, which are currently the world's biggest passenger airliners. CWA is projected to process 1.7 million passengers per year, rising to 5.2 million per year by 2050. Additionally, Independent Media reports that the project has been called an economic revitalisation for the region. The airport is scheduled to create 58 561 job opportunities between 2027 and 2050.
Over and above this, the new airport will offer scheduled airline services and cargo operations. It will also provide an alternative airport for fuel planning purposes and situations where an aircraft scheduled to land at Cape Town International Airport cannot land for some reason beyond the pilot's control - such as a storm.
In time, the precinct will become far more than an airport. Ferguson also shared with Engineering News that the long-term aim is to add hotels, additional cargo facilities, aeroplane maintenance sites and a conference centre.
In asking questions about the new airport, many have asked if this will be Cape Town's equivalent of Lanseria International Airport. Ferguson shares that while there will be similarities, the Cape Winelands airport will be significantly bigger and have a longer runway that can in fact accommodate a wider variety of aircraft than the current Cape Town International Airport.
Bureaucratic hurdles to be overcome before airport takeoff
The site's current airport licence will need to be expanded for the new facility to be allowed to operate on a larger scale. The licensing process centres around security and Ferguson is confident that if the desired milestones are reached, the necessary licence will be obtained in due course.
An application also needs to be made to the National Department of Transport for the site to be licensed as an international airport. Ferguson remains confident, with the written support of the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government already in place.
Plans for a second international airport in the region are just one of many great reasons to choose the Western Cape as the home base for your commercial or industrial enterprise. For more information or to find the property that's right for your business, get in touch with 3Cube Property Solutions.
Author: 3Cube Property Solutions
