Plans for Cape Town's second international airport in the Cape Winelands just received a major boost with the announcement that Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s leading REIT, has made an initial investment and will co-develop the Cape Winelands Airport precinct.
The co-owners of the V&A Waterfront will bring their expertise in large-scale, tourism-led property development to the project, with construction set to start as early as 2026, pending approval of an extensive Environmental Assessment currently under review.
“The Environmental Impact Assessment is currently with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, and we’re now awaiting the outcome,” Deirdre Davids, spokesperson for Cape Winelands Airport previously told Time Out - with four rounds of public participation and nearly two dozen specialist studies undertaken.
SEE: Cape Town's New International Airport: Here’s what travellers need to know
The privately owned airport, formerly known as Fisantekraal Airfield, is set to become a state-of-the-art, sustainable international airport and a mixed-use precinct spanning 450 hectares, featuring logistics, commercial, and hospitality developments.
Details of the partnership indicate that Growthpoint's initial investment is one of several pillars in a long-term partnership. Under the agreement, the REIT will assume long-term property and asset management responsibilities across the aviation precinct’s logistics, commercial and hospitality components, excluding the terminal buildings. It also has the right of first refusal to co-invest in future property developments.
Growth point will also oversee the development’s main contractor to ensure institutional standards in transparent governance, financial discipline, positive environmental and social impact integration and development delivery.
The success of the V&A Waterfront – one of Africa’s most visited destinations – provides Growthpoint with first-hand insight into how well-planned tourism infrastructure can drive inclusive economic growth.
Targeting 5 million passengers in phase one
The first phase targets a 2028 opening and aims to achieve a capacity of over five million passengers by 2050.
Officials say the airport will ease pressure on Cape Town International Airport, boost trade and tourism, and create an estimated 35,000 direct and indirect jobs, rising to over 100,000 in the first 20 years.
Sustainability is also at the core of the airport's design, according to the developers, with plans for renewable energy, water reuse, and carbon-neutral operations.
Nicholas Ferguson, Managing Director of RSA Aero, called the partnership “a step-change for Cape Winelands Airport.”
At the same time, Growthpoint CEO Norbert Sasse described it as “a long-term platform for investment, innovation, and opportunity in the Western Cape.”
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