R1 billion makeover for international airport next to Sun City in South Africa
The Pilanesberg International Airport, which suffered significant fire damage in 2023, is being rebuilt with a R1 billion boost from private investors.
The airport, which is located in the North West Province, between the popular Sun City Resort and the Pilanesberg National Park, serves a large portion of tourists and supports tourism across the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality.
The airport first opened in 1981 to provide tourists and locals with direct access to the Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City, serving as an entry point to the North West province.
However, after the 2023 fire, the airport was forced to operate from temporary facilities due to damage to the main terminal building, parts of the runway, and other facilities.
In February 2026, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, through Infrastructure South Africa, signed an agreement with the North West Provincial Government.
The agreement outlines the programme to provide project preparation and packaging support for the North West Aviation Infrastructure Programme, which is expected to roll out over 24 to 36 months.
At this time, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said that the fire caused immediate and visible damage not only to the airport but also to connectivity, tourism flows and investor confidence.
“For many, it became a symbol of infrastructure vulnerability. However, today we stand here to begin turning it into a symbol of infrastructure renewal,” Macpherson said.
“A modernised Pilanesberg Airport strengthens the competitiveness of the North West as a destination – not only domestically, but internationally,” he said.
Sun City Resort Manager Brett Hoppe told the SABC that the airport plays a very important role as an economic driver due to its international license, which brings tourism directly to the North West.
In a social media post this week, the Minister said he is incredibly proud of the work Infrastructure South Africa has done to kick off this project and bring it to its current stage.
“Working in partnership with the North West Government, we have been able to move with speed since we made this announcement in February 2026,” he said.
“Once completed, this airport will serve as an international gateway to the Pilanesberg area to further increase tourism, trade and market access.”
Pilanesberg International Airport
The 45-year-old airport operates a single runway that is 2,750 metres long and can accommodate a wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747.
Although the airport opened in 1981, the first commercial flights did not commence until 2015, and were operated by South African (SA) Express.
However, SA Express is no longer operational and has ceased flights since 2020, after entering Business Rescue during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airport is located within an ancient alkaline volcanic crater, which provides a scenic landing for tourists.
The airport was previously managed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), but has been under the North West Provincial Government’s management since 2011.
After a serious fire in 2023 caused severe damage to the terminal building, the structure collapsed, and all major commercial operations at the airport were halted.
Since then, no aircraft has flown in or out of the airport as the air traffic control tower had also been engulfed in the fire.
The airport provides access not only to Sun City and the Pilanesberg National Park, but also to other popular destinations such as Hartebeespoort Dam, Madikwe Game Reserve, the Vredefort Dome Heritage Site and the Taung Heritage Site.
Having direct access to these popular tourist destinations plays a significant role in the province’s tourism economy.
Tourism contributes around 5% to the North West economy, providing around 30,000 jobs to South Africans.
Photos of the Pilanesberg Airport rebuild
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