South Africa’s new international airport one step closer to completion

WBHO has been selected as the contracting partner for the technical development and construction of the Cape Winelands Airport.

This represents another step in the airport’s construction and the multibillion-dollar expansion programme, which aims to open the airport’s doors to travellers in 2028.

Since its announcement, the Cape Winelands Airport has rapidly risen to become one of the most anticipated projects in the region and is expected to become the Western Cape’s next-generation aviation, hospitality, and industrial hub.

The project is situated on a 150-hectare site, 12 kilometres northeast of Durbanville, on an airfield constructed by the South African Air Force in 1943.

The airfield, previously serving as a general aviation facility, is now slated for conversion into an international commercial airport by its owner, RSA Aero.

New development

On 9 December 2025, the project announced that WBHO has been selected as the contracting partner to bring these plans to life.

WBHO, which was established in 1970, is one of the largest construction companies in Southern Africa and one of the biggest listed construction giants on the JSE.

The company has been responsible for numerous notable projects, including well-known buildings in South Africa, such as Discovery’s Sandton headquarters, the PwC tower in Midrand, the Mall of Africa, Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town, and King Shaka International Airport.

“With the contractor now formally on board, the project advances into a crucial new phase – detailed technical development and planning,” said Cape Winelands Airport managing director Deon Cloete.

“These appointments will enable the team to begin developing the specific designs and engineering frameworks required to move the project toward construction readiness.”

Cloete also commented that the process will allow for clearer insights into overall time and costs.

The Cape Winelands Airport expansion is estimated to cost approximately R8 billion and is one of South Africa’s largest aviation investments.

The construction includes a new boutique terminal, extended and realigned runway infrastructure, upgraded airside systems, enhanced cargo and logistics operations, and a modernised general aviation precinct.  The airport is expected to support approximately 35,000 direct and indirect jobs and sustain just over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs during its initial 20 years of operation.