[imagesource:gencraftai]

The expanded Cape Winelands Airport on the outskirts of Durbanville, which is set to open for domestic and international flights in 2027, looks to really be happening.

The current airport facilities will be completely renovated as part of the R7 billion investment in the area, and once completed, will be designated as a Code F airport – fulfilling requirements for the landing and take-off of the largest passenger airliners like the Airbus A380.

The extension plan comprises a realigned 3,5-kilometre runway with the relevant airside equipment, a new boutique terminal building, cargo facilities, and fuel-storage amenities, as well as future commercial buildings such as offices and hotels.

The managing director of holding company and private developer RSA.Aero Nick Ferguson said the project has been “years in the making”.

“We bought the existing airport in 2020 and have been working on the project since then to understand the product that is needed for Cape Town in terms of aviation transport.”

Ferguson disclosed that this airfield, which was originally completed in 1943, would serve as the “mothership” for a network of airports to be erected in other cities around the country.

“As we say, the airport leases the city, the city follows the airport, and the airport becomes the city. That is what airports do, as demonstrated by the United States of America’s 2,000 airports.”

According to Ferguson, the Johannesburg-Cape Town route is the world’s tenth busiest flight route.

 

Cape Winelands Airport was built in 1943 and lies about 13 kilometres northeast of Durbanville. Known as Fisantekraal Airfield by the South African Air Force, it was used to operate Lockheed Ventura bombers that protected shipping around the Cape of Good Hope during WWII. To date, the biggest aeroplane to ever land there was a Lockheed C-130 Hercules – also known as a Flossie.

Managing director of the airport, Deon Cloete, said the airport was still very relevant today.

“It is situated at the urban edge, at sea level with a 400-ft elevation that puts it out of the winter fog band,” he said, “The 5 km stretch of Joostenbergvlakte was sufficient to put down the 3.5 km runway.”

“With a fast-growing city that is isolated from the north, a second airport it is absolutely needed. Passengers drive airlines and there is a need in this area, from here and up into the West Coast.”

Construction of the Cape Winelands Airport will begin in 2025.

This is going to be a great spot from where Air du Cap can take to the skies.

[source:news24]