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Fifteen years after the World Cup triggered a significant upgrade of Cape Town International Airport (does anyone even remember that tiny old domestic terminal?) the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that R10 billion will be invested in expanding the airport to accommodate future demand.
The largest portion of that – over R6-billion – will be allocated to something every passenger will utilise but may not really notice: a new, realigned main runway.
The new runway will measure 3500 metres by 60 metres and will be classified as ‘Code F’ by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This means the runway is designed to safely accommodate the largest passenger aircraft in the world, such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8, as well as the next generation of wide-body aircraft.
The runway will also rotate 11.5 degrees eastward. While that may not sound like much, the realignment will free up space within the airport precinct and will include rapid-exit taxiways and a partial parallel taxiway. This means aircraft can clear the runway more quickly, getting passengers to the terminal faster, and helping the next aircraft land or take off sooner. In theory, it should lead to improved on-time performance for passengers.
But passengers will likely be more interested in what’s available at the airport itself, and in line with the runway works, Cape Town International plans a substantial expansion of the domestic terminal.
It’s a R2.8 billion investment that will upgrade both Domestic Arrivals and Departures, including more domestic gates, airbridges, and apron space for aircraft parking. A new food court for Departures and an improved Arrivals area are the big wins here. Arrivals, in particular, is currently a dull corner of the airport that urgently needs improvement. Based on the artist's renders, we can expect spaces that are modern, bright, and airy. If all the paperwork is completed on time, construction is expected to begin in April 2027.
The international section of the airport is also set for upgrades, with ACSA planning to spend nearly R1 billion to add more apron stands, while enhancing immigration processing (hopefully those e-Gates will actually work at last?) and bus gates. There are also plans to enlarge the lounge and commercial areas.
“These planned developments represent a significant step in strengthening Cape Town International Airport’s role as a critical economic gateway for the Western Cape and South Africa,” says Cape Town International Airport acting regional general manager Thabo Phateng. “By expanding capacity and enhancing operational resilience, we are positioning the airport to support sustained passenger growth, tourism expansion, trade facilitation and long term regional economic development.”
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