{"id":851819,"date":"2026-02-23T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=851819"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:53:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T10:53:36","slug":"r10-billion-upgrade-coming-for-top-airport-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/trending\/851819\/r10-billion-upgrade-coming-for-top-airport-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa’s top airport getting a R10 billion upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cape Town International Airport is undergoing a massive R10.1 billion revamp, as part of Airport Company South Africa’s broader R21.7 billion infrastructure investment program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACSA said that the revamp is one of the most strategic infrastructure investments in the airport\u2019s continued growth trajectory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A significant part of the Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) upgrade programme is the airport’s new, realigned main runway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The runway is estimated to cost roughly R6.39 billion, with contractor appointment planned for December 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The major infrastructure project aims to increase runway capacity, optimise aircraft movement patterns, and strengthen operational resilience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACSA said that the new 3,500-metre by 60-metre runway will also be realigned eastward by 11.5 degrees to improve air traffic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will also unlock critical development space for passenger terminal capacity within the airport precinct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project will also include rapid exit taxiways and a partial parallel taxiway, which will reduce runway occupancy time and improve aircraft turnaround efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These upgrades are expected to improve on-time performance during peak travel periods, while increasing scheduling flexibility and overall reliability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The runway will be fully Code F compliant, enabling the accommodation of next-generation aircraft and reinforcing Cape Town International Airport\u2019s position within the global aviation network,” said ACSA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Complementing the runway project is the expansion of the Domestic Terminal Building, which is anticipated to commence in April 2027, subject to final regulatory approvals and procurement processes.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cape Town International Airport is regarded as the best airport in South Africa, having received three accolades in the 2025 Skytrax Airport awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airport won Best Airport in Africa, Best Airport Staff Service in Africa, and Cleanest Airport in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internal improvements<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The domestic arrivals terminal upgrade is estimated at R2.39 billion, while the Domestic Departures Extension is estimated at R500 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The expansion will significantly enhance passenger processing capacity, improve circulation, and modernise the overall terminal environment in line with projected demand growth,” said ACSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The programme also provides for additional domestic contact gates and airbridges, as well as expanded apron capacity to support increased aircraft parking and improved aircraft movement flow.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airport will also embark on phased developments within the International Terminal Building, which are currently estimated at R863 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The improvements include new apron stands with expanded commercial and lounge offerings, as well as improvements to immigration processing and bussing gates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The planned enhancements include terminal circulation areas, more security screening capacity, improved baggage reclaim, prayer and family spaces and upgraded bathrooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other improvements include increased aircraft contact gates to reduce bussing and modernised retail and food environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACSA said that the design of the terminal will prioritise natural light, intuitive wayfinding and improved passenger flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unidentified capacity development projects at the airport are estimated at roughly R10.143 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese planned developments represent a significant step in strengthening Cape Town International Airport\u2019s role as a critical economic gateway for the Western Cape and South Africa,” said the airport’s Acting Regional General Manager, Thabo Phateng. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“By expanding capacity and enhancing operational resilience, we are positioning the airport to support sustained passenger growth, tourism expansion, trade facilitation and long-term regional economic development.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All projects are being phased to ensure that the airport’s operations continue with minimal disruption to passengers and airline partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACSA said that detailed mitigation planning will be undertaken in close coordination with airlines, commercial partners, and regulatory authorities to ensure operational continuity during construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Renderings of the upgrade<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Cape Town International Airport is set for a massive R10 billion upgrade, with improvements to the terminals and runway. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":851831,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[8151],"class_list":["post-851819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trending","tag-acsa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=851819"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":851844,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851819\/revisions\/851844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/851831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=851819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=851819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=851819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}