The development of the expanded Cape Winelands Airport, located on the outskirts of Durbanville is making progress, towards becoming a functional hub for both domestic and international flights.
Thanks to an investment of R7 billion in the Berg River maintained level (RML) all existing airport facilities will undergo renovations. Once completed the airport will be designated as Code F meeting all criteria for accommodating passenger planes such, as the Airbus A380 during takeoff and landing.
The expansion project Involves the construction of a building, cargo facilities and fuel storage buildings, on both sides of the realigned runway, which is 3.5 kilometers long. Additionally there are plans for structures like offices and hotels just outside the airports boundary line.
Completion date
As for the completion date Cape Winelands Airport is scheduled to open its doors in 2027. Nick Ferguson, the managing director of RSA.Aero South Africa, a holding company and private developer mentioned that this project has been in progress, for years.
In 2020 we acquired an existing airport. Have been actively working on the project since. Our main objective is to determine the aviation transportation needs of the area.
According to Ferguson this airfield originally completed in 1943 will serve as the hub for a network of airports that will be established in cities, across the country.
Essentially what we mean is that the airport becomes a part of the city and oversees municipal affairs. This is a practice observed in the United States, which boasts, around 2000 airports nationwide.
In a growing city, like ours it is crucial to have an airport. The existing one is not sufficient to meet the increasing demand from passengers those traveling to the West Coast.
Location
The CapeWinelands Airport originally known as Fisantekraal airfield was built in 1943. Is located 13 km northeast of Durbanville. During World War II it played a role in defending shipping, around the Cape of Good Hope by operating Lockheed Ventura bombers. Interestingly the largest plane ever to land there was the Lockheed C 130 Hercules, affectionately nicknamed Flossie.
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