New R8 billion airport for South Africa
Growthpoint Properties says the Cape Winelands Airport has made significant progress, with the property giant working to co-develop the precinct.
Growthpoint, which is the largest real estate investment trust on the JSE, became a strategic partner in the airport last year.
The Cape Winelands Airport was initially built in 1943 and served as an operational base for the South African Air Force.
It was known then as Fisantekraal Airfield and was part of the South African Air Force. It became privately owned in 1993. In 2020, private investors, RSA Aero, acquired the airport’s property.
Over the last several years, the airport has unveiled grand plans for a massive redevelopment to turn the property into an international commercial airport.
In a trading update for the nine months ended 31 March 2026, Growthpoint said that its partnership will see it co-develop and manage a 450-hectare mixed-use aviation precinct in the Western Cape.
Growthpoint said that it will earn fees for overseeing phase 1 of the airport’s development, which is estimated to cost about R8 billion.
Construction is expected to commence later in 2026, subject to approvals, with commissioning of the first phase targeted for 2028.
“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,” it said.
“This partnership aligns with our strategy of investing in high-quality precincts and advancing our sustainability objectives.”
It added that the project has already reached several milestones in recent months, including the final environmental authorisation being obtained, taking into account all appeals lodged.
Growthpoint noted that environmental approvals have been the largest hurdle for the project and have taken almost five years to obtain.
The City of Cape Town Municipal Planning Tribunal has also approved the rezoning, comprising approximately 350,000 sqm of total bulk, subject to the appeal process.
The airport has also been formally awarded Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 17 status by Infrastructure South Africa.
This means that all organs of state must prioritise the airport’s approvals, licenses, authorisations and exemptions, as per the Infrastructure Development Act of 2014.
“Cape Winelands Airport and all its associated infrastructure now carry statutory national strategic status,” noted Growthpoint.
Photos of the Cape Winelands Airport
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