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Cape Town’s new playground for aviation enthusiasts has landed

Atlantic Aerodrome is set to open its doors in the Swartland in September.

Marchelle Abrahams
Written by
Marchelle Abrahams
City Expert, Time Out Cape Town
Atlantic Aerodrome.
Atlantic Aerodrome. | The main entrance and clubhouse frontage as seen on arrival.
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Between Table Mountain and the Atlantic coastline, there’s a new reason for Cape Town aviation devotees to get excited: Atlantic Aerodrome.

Phase 1 is expected to open 26 September, 2026. Merely 40 minutes from the CBD, Atlantic Aerodrome is positioning itself as the Western Cape’s newest home for general aviation.

The Swartland facility is designed for aircraft owners, charter operators, flight schools and aviation businesses looking for a dedicated base away from the congestion of larger airports.  

Atlantic Aerodrome.
Atlantic Aerodrome.Bird's eye view of the Atlantic Aerodrome precinct, runway, hangars and surrounding landscape.

Premium services

Secure hangars, premium fuel services and maintenance support will create a one-stop shop for aircraft owners who’d rather spend their time flying than hunting for parking space.

For aspiring pilots, Atlantic Aerodrome also plans to offer flight training programmes, including Private Pilot Licences (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licences (CPL) and instrument ratings. 

The airfield itself isn’t playing around either. A grooved asphalt runway, full LED lighting and plans for instrument approach capabilities mean the aerodrome is being built with practicality and future growth in mind.

“We are not just building another airfield,” Atlantic Aerodrome founder Rihan Kleyn told Engineering News. He added that the dedicated spot is what aircraft owners, operators, pilots and aviation businesses have been looking for.

Atlantic Aerodrome
Atlantic AerodromeThe clubhouse restaurant and terrace overlooking the runway and Swartland landscape.

Family-friendly spaces

Perhaps the most interesting feature is the community element. Atlantic Aerodrome’s plans include a two-level clubhouse complete with restaurants, bars, lounges, event spaces and family-friendly facilities.

The announcement couldn’t come at a better time. Cape Town’s growing aviation sector received a boost in October last year. Growthpoint Properties made an initial investment and will co-develop the Cape Winelands Airport precinct, Cape Town’s second international airport. 

Atlantic Aerodrome
Atlantic AerodromeThe dam and guest accommodation area within the aerodrome precinct.

Top Gun vibes

Hangars range from a nimble 225m² for private owners to a hefty 1 800m² for flight schools, charter ops and bigger players. Each unit comes with 24/7 biometric security, direct airside access, and a clean, enclosed modern setup.

On the ground: A grooved asphalt runway (02/20) starting at 884m, stretching to 1 524m in later phases, backed by full LED lighting for round-the-clock ops and a planned GNSS instrument approach.

The target? An ACR/PCR rating of 23/F/B/X/T, built for serious traffic, not just Sunday flyers. 

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