South Africa’s new R8-billion airport partners with a top-rated university

Stellenbosch University has officially partnered with the Cape Winelands Airport to collaborate on a broad range of issues, including spatial planning, transport and logistics, space and aviation research, and agricultural and food processing.

The Cape Winelands Airport is an upcoming project that is scheduled to open its doors to the public.

It is intended to serve as an alternative to Cape Town International Airport, capable of supporting wide-body aircraft while offering a more direct route to the region’s famous wine farms.

The new airport will be built on the Fisantekraal Airfield, establishing a new airport city precinct roughly 13km northeast of Durbanville.

Construction is set to begin in late 2026, requiring an initial investment of between R8 billion and R10 billion.

“It is anticipated that the airport expansion will transform the airport into a significant economic hub over the coming years,” said the airport’s management.

Its proximity to the town of Stellenbosch makes it an ideal partner for the local university, which is recognised as one of the best tertiary education centres in the country.

The two parties are also looking at ways to align academic research, industry expertise, and infrastructure development.

“The scale and long-term nature of the project present a unique platform for practical learning, applied research, innovation, and industry collaboration across multiple disciplines.”

Engineering collaboration was highlighted as a key focus of the project, creating opportunities for technical cooperation, infrastructure development, and operations.

Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, said that the project has the ability to unlock economic growth and support emerging industries.

“The Cape Winelands Airport project offers an opportunity to build a dynamic ecosystem that can unlock economic growth, support emerging industries, and position the region as a hub of innovation and opportunity,” said Ramjugernath.

“The airport expansion presents a unique long-term opportunity to connect academia and industry in a way that creates meaningful economic and educational impact,” said Deon Cloete, Managing Director for Cape Winelands Airport.

One of the first collaboration efforts proposed is the creation of student capacity via applied research opportunities linked to the airport’s development and operational environment.

This may include research projects for Master’s students within the university’s engineering programme. The partnership also aims to explore other opportunities to build testing facilities and spaces.

The Cape Winelands Airport is expected to become a major driver of economic growth for the region.

Once complete, it will support an estimated 35,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs over the first 20 years of operations.

Lots of new airport activities around Cape Town

The Cape Winelands Airport is not the only aviation project taking place in the Western Cape right now.

Cape Town International is currently undergoing a R10-billion overhaul led by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

The improvements are part of ACSA’s broader  R21.7-billion national infrastructure investment program to refurbish the country’s major aviation hubs.

The upgrades to Cape Town international include a R6.4-billion project to realign the main runway to  improve operational resilience by optimizing aircraft movement patterns.

The revamped runway, which will be 3,500 metres long and 60 metres wide, will be shifted by 11.5 degrees eastward to improve air traffic efficiency and open up critical passenger terminal capacity.

Additionally, new rapid taxiways and a partial parallel taxiway are being added to improve scheduling flexibility.

These upgrades will ensure CTIA is Code F compliant, meaning it can accommodate newer aircraft and remain internationally competitive.

The terminal buildings are also being improved, expanding the commercial and lounge areas, streamlining the immigration processing zone and bus transit gates, and adding new apron stands.

While all of this is going on, another private airport is getting ready to open its doors in Cape Town.

The Atlantic Aerodrome is a new aviation hub that is scheduled to open on 26 September 2026.

Located along the N7 past Philadelphia, the airport is a 40-minute drive away from the Cape Town CBD.

The founder of the Atlantic Aerodrome, Shane Harrison, said the site will be a general aviation hub for small aircraft, intended for aircraft operators, aircraft owners, turboprops, and light jets.

The airport will feature a 1,250m runway, allowing it to accommodate jet-powered aircraft.

It will also include other facilities, such as a flight school, clubhouse, guest accommodation, an event venue, a restaurant with a seasonal menu, and a bar with a terrace overlooking the runway.